UC-NRLF
$B 7M 210
80GI 'IZ NVf -IVd
[FlDEiVTIAL ^ N° 253 (Revised)
Not to be taken into Front Line Trenches.
|}d Down to include all Officers and Organizations
all Combat Units.
■./?
PENSIVE MEASURES
AtiMNST
GAS ATTACKS
►QUARTERS AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES
FRANCE
Noveinber, 1917
DEFENSIVE MEASURES
GAS ATTACKS
COMDEiVTIAL N^ 253 (Revised)
Not to be taken into Front Line Trenches.
Issued Down to include all Officers and Organizations
all Combat Units.
DEFENSIVE MEASURES
AGAINST
GAS ATTACKS
HEADQUARTERS AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES
FRANCE
November, 1Q17
66 ,.
HEADQIARTKRS AMERICAN EXPEDITIOIVARY FORCES
France, November 30, 1917.
The following rules and regulations governing defensive
measures to be taken against gas attacks are published for
the information and guidance of all concerned.
Hy Command of General Pershing
James G. IIARBORD,
Brigadier General,
Chief of Staff .
ornciai :
Benj. ALVORD,
Adjutant General.
860655
DEFENSIVE MEASURES
GAS ATTACKS,
INTRODUaHON.
A. — GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS.
1. The following notes on defensive measures against
hostile gas attacks have been compiled for the guidance of
officers in instructing their men and giving orders on the
subject.
2. In the absence of suitable protection the gases used in
war are extremely deadly. Breathing only very small quan-
tities may cause death or serious injury. Hence, it is
essential that no time be lost in putting on the respirators or
masks when a gas alarm is heard.
It cannot be too strongly impressed on all that the meas-
ures which have been elaborated to meet hostile gas attacks
afford perfect protection, and if they are carried out pro-
perly and promptly no one will suffer from gas poisoning.
3. The whole basis for protecting troops against gas lies
a) in keeping the appliances in perfect working order ; b) in
learning to adjust them rapidly under all conditions; and
c) in ensuring that every man is given immediate warning.
These results can only be attained :
i) By frequent and thorough inspection of all protective
appliances. The inspections to be daily in the trenches.
2) By thorough instruction and training in their use.
3) By every man understanding and complying with all
Standing Orders on the subject of defense against gas.
If these are effectively carried out, there is nothing to fear
from hostile gas attacks. Officers must impress this on
their men, since an important object of all anti-gas instruc-
tion should be to inspire complete confidence in the efficacy
of the methods adopted.
8 —
STANDING ORDERS FOR DEFENSE AGAINST GAS.
I. — Carriage of Respirators.
a) Within 12 miles of the front line a box respirator or
mask w^ill always be carried.
b) Within 5 miles of the front line a box respirator will
always be carried, and every man will be clean-shaven,
except that a moustache may be worn.
c) Within 2 miles of the front line and within areas spec-
ialhj exposed to gas shelling, the box respirator and mask
will always be catcif d. The respirator will be carried in
the ^' Alert" position. It will be worn outside all clothintf,
9n,xl nothijic; will be sluog across the chest in such away as
to! iiiterlerc with * he quick adjustment of the respirator.
The chin strap of the steel helmet will be worn on the point
of the chin.
d) Military Police will report all cases of infringement of
the above orders.
e) The above-mentioned zones will be conspicuously
marked by each Corps, in such manner as to attract the
attention of persons entering them.
/) When not carried in the ''Alert" position, the box res-
pirator will be carried over the left hip, the sling passing
over the right shoulder. Nothing shall be worn so as to
interfere with the immediate shifting of the respirator to the
'* Alert " position. If the mask is also carried, it will be
over the right hip, so as not to interfere with shifting the
box^respirator to the "Alert'' position, the sling passing
over the left shoulder but under the sling of the respirator.
II. — General Precautionary Measures.
Within the two mile limit the following will be'observcd :
a) Box respirators will be inspected daily.
b) Gas N. C. O.'s will inspect daily all gas alarm
appliances and anti-gas stores. They will see that gas-proof
dugouts are in good order and the blankets kept moist.
f) All sentries will act as Gas Sentries and will be pro-
vided with alarm appliances to give warning in case of gas
shelling or a gas cloud attack.
d) Each sentry group will have a definite area to alarm
in the event of a gas cloud attack or bombardment.
e) Sentries must be posted to give warning to men in
dugouts.
fj All working parties of 10 or more men will have a
sentry posted to give warning in the event of gas being used
by the enemy.
g) Precautions will be taken to protect ammunition from
the corrosive action of gas.
— 9 —
h) Stores of fuel will be kept for clearing dugouts.
i) Units in the line will make wind observations, and
sentries will be warned to be on the alert for signs of cloud
gas whenever the wind is in a dangerous quarter.
In the area between two and twelve miles from the front
line the following will^be observed :
j) Anti-gas appliances will be inspected at least once a
week and immediately before men proceed to any point
within the two mile limit.
k) All sentries, traffic control men, military police, etc.,
when on duty will act as gas sentries and will be provided
with suitable alarm devices where necessary.
/) Men may be allowed to take off their respirators when
sleeping, but must keep them within reach.
m) Arrangements will be made by Commanders of units
and Area Commanders to communicate a gas alarm rapidly
to all ranks.
III. — Action to be taken in the event of an enemy
Gas Shell or Trench Mortar Bombardment.
a) At the first sign o^ gas shell of any kind or on hearing
the alarm, the breath must be held and the respirator
adjusted immediately without waiting until the presence of
gas is recognized.
/>) The alarm will be spread immediately to all troops in
the neighborhood :
i) By gongs, rattles, or klaxons;
2) By shouting " Gas shells " — after the respirator has
been adjusted ;
3) By runners where necessary.
Strombos Horns will not be used.
Men in dugouts, observation posts, and mine shafts must
be warned and sleeping men roused.
c) Gas-proof dugouts will be closed immediately, and any
fires burning in such dugouts put out. Care must be taken
that men do not enter protected dugouts if their clothing
has been exposed to gas.
d) Sentries will be posted at suitable points to warn men
to put on their respirators before entering the shelled area.
These sentries will not be withdrawn until the area is free
from gas.
I\'. — After a Gas Shell or Trench Mortar Bombard-
ment the folio-wing precautions will be observed.
a) Respirators will be worn until permission to remove
them is given by an officer.
b) Gas may remain in liquid form on the ground for several
hours after a bombardment. When it is impossible to
withdraw men from an infected area, respirators will be
worn until the ground is clear. Gas shell holes will be
covered with fresh earth when possible, or with chloride of
lime if available.
6') Closed spaces such as dugouts and cellars may retain
gas for many hours and must be cleared by means of fires.
Men will not enter such places without wearing respirators
until permission has been given by an officer.
d) When a man is close to the burst of a gas shell his
clothes may become contaminated with liquid. When pos-
sible the clothes will be removed and exposed to the air.
Care must be taken that men sleeping in closed spaces are
not gassed by long exposure to small quantities of gas
brought in on their clothing or equipment.
e) Men affected by gas will be spared exertion as much
as possible and casualties will not be allowed to walk to the
Dressing Station.
f) Transport will move from the shelled area when pos-
silDle. Horse respirators will be adjusted on all anifnals
remaining in the shelled area.
V. — Action to be taken in the event
of an enemy Cloud Gas attack.
The Alarm.
a) Alarm will at once be given by all means available :
— by Strombos horns, gongs, rattles, telephone, and, if ne-
cessary, by orderly. Sentries will warn all ranks in the
trenches, dugouts, observation posts, or mine shafts.
b) Sentries on Strombos Horns will sound the horn (i)
when they detect cloud gas, (2) when they hear other
Strombos Horns sounding, Strombos Horns will not take
up the alarm from gongs and rattles.
c) In order to restrict the spread of false alarms, when
possible, Strombos Horns in back areas will be placed so
that they need not be sounded until the alarm is confirmed
by telephone.
d) Should the gas cloud be unaccompanied by an infantry
attack, no S. O. S. signal will be sent, but the letters
G. A. S. will be telephoned or telegraphed, followed by
the name of the trench opposite to which the gas is being
liberated.
This message will not be sent in case of a gas shell bom-
bardment only.
e) Arrangements will be made for an immediate report of
a hostile gas attack to be sent to all formations within
4o kilometers (26 miles) giving the map reference of the
point of attack, as follows :
Divisions will w^^rn :
Corps H. Q. ;
All other Divisions of the same Corps;
(If a flank Division) Neighboring Divisionof adjoining
Corps.
Corps will warn :
Army H. 0. ;
All other Corps of same Army ;
(If a flank Corps) Neighboring Corps of adjoining Army,
/) Arrangements will be made for the warning to be
repeated, where necessary, to an officer in each village or
camp within a radius of 4o kilometers of the point of attack,
who will be responsible for warning units billeted there.
g) Corps will arrange to warn civil authorities who are
responsible for the protection and warning of all civilians
within the Corps area.
Action on the alarm being given.
h) There should be as little movement and talking as
possible.
All ranks will at once adjust their small box respirators.
Men in dugouts will do so before leaving dugouts.
i) The blanket curtains of protected dugouts and cellars
will be properly adjusted, and fires in such dugouts put
out.
j) Troops in the front lines, and wherever the tactical
situation demands, will stand to arms.
k) In rear lines there is no objection to troops remaining
in dugouts, where the tactical situation permits, with the
exception of sentries and of officers and N. C. O.'s on duty.
/) All bodies of troops or transport on the move will halt,
and working parties will cease work until the gas cloud has
passed.
m) If a relief is in progress, units should stand steady as
far as possible until the gas cloud has passed.
n) Supports and parties bringing up ammunition and
grenades will only be moved up if the tactical situation
demands.
Action during an Enemy Cloud Gas Attack.
o) The troops in the front trenches will open a slow rate
of rifle fire at once against the enemy's trenches, and occa-
sional short bursts will be fired from machine guns to ensure
that all weapons are in working order.
p) Corps will arrange a suitable artillery program to be
carried out in the event of a cloud gas attack.
Action after an Enemy Cloud Gas Attack.
q) Trenches will be cleared of gas with Anti-gas fans and
sandbags.
r) Respirators will be worn until permission to remove
them is given by an officer.
K) A sharp lookout will be maintained for a repetition
of the attack as long as the wind continues in a dangerous
quarter. Men will sleep on the fire-step within reach of a
sentry.
t) The instructions given in Section l\ (c) above, with
regard to entering dugouts, etc., will be observed.
m) No man suffering from the effects of gas will be allowed
to walk to the Dressing Station, or exert himself in any other
manner.
v) The clearing of trenches and dugouts must not be
carried out by men who have been affected by the gas.
w) After a gas attack, troops in the front trenches are to
be relieved of all fatigue and carrying work for 24 hours, by
sending up working parties from companies in the rear.
x) Horses which have been exposed to the gas will not be
worked for 24 hours if it can be avoided.
//) Rifles and machine guns must be cleaned after a*gas
attack. Oil cleaning will prevent corrosion for 12 hours,
but the first opportunity must be taken to clean all parts in
boiling water containing a little soda.
z) Small arms ammunition must be carefully examined.
All rounds affected by the gas must be replaced by new
cartridges immediately. The rounds afl'ected will then be
cleaned. Especial attention must be paid to the brass clips.
rr) Expended air cylinders of Strombos Horns will be
replaced by full ones.
VI. — Anti-Gas Trench Stores.
a) These comprise :
Extra supply of respirators and masks (5 0/0 of strength);
Strombos horns and other alarm devices;
Wind vanes ;
(jas-proof coverings for dugouts ;
Anti-gas fans ;
Stores of fuel for clearing dugouts;
Vermorel Sprayers ;
Gas sampling apparatus.
b) Commanders of formations or units relieving one another
are responsible that trench stores are duly turned over and
receipted for, and that they are in good condition, and
in proper positions for use or replacement.
c) The actual taking over should be done by company
(battery) Gas N. C. O.'s, who will go up with the advance
party (if possible in daylight) for this purpose. They will
report any defects to their Company (battery) commander.
d) As soon after the actual taking over as possible the
Regimental Gas Officer will make an inspection of all anti-
gas arrangements and stores. He will call the attention of
Company Commanders to any defects or deficiencies for cor-
rection. He should collect all possible blind gas shells to
be sent to the laboratory for test.
— i3 —
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF TRAINING IN GAS
DEFENSIVE AGAINST GAS SHELL BOMBARDMENTS.
What to expect. — Every man should know what lo
expect, and should be told to regard as gas shells all those
which burst with a small detonation, and to remember that
gas shell is difQcult to detect when fired with high explosive
shell as it usually is.
The enemy has recently been firing large caliber shells
with both gas and a large amount of hiah explosive so that
it is practically impossible to tell whicn are gas shells and
which are not. Hence, each man must be prepared lo wear
his mask during every bombardment.
Gas alarm. — Every man must be practiced in spreading
the alarm by shouting '^Gas shell" as soon as he has
adjusted his respirator. Warning must be conveyed to troops
to the leeward of the area bombarded. Sentries should be
posted to warn men to put on their respirators before ent-
ering afl'ected areas. Arrangements must be made to warn
men who are asleep, immediately a gas bombardment begins.
Wearing box respirators. — Box respirators nmst be
adjusted properly during gas shell bombardments and must
not be removed after the bombardment is over except on the
order of an officer. If removing respirators is left to the
judgment of individual men, casualties are bound to occur.
Respirator Drill. — It is important that men should
be practiced in adjusting the small box respirator while
wearing steel helmets by going through the necessary
motions even when not wearmgthe steel helmet. Practice
in prolonged wearing is necessary, as many instances have
occurred of men having to wear the small box respirator for
five to eicjht hours. This condition will get worse as the
war continues. Men must also be practiced in moving in
the dark, and in speaking while wearing the respirator.
Realistic training. — It is important that the actual
training should be made realistic, and combined with ordi-
nary work ; e. g., a party engaged on night operations
might suddenly be given the alarm *' Gas shell ", whereupon
the correct action should be taken, and respirators worn for
an hour without interrupting the operations.
Night practices are essential, because gas shelling nearly
always occurs at night. Specialists and men of all arms
must be able to perform their duties in the dark while
wearing their respirators.
Gas-proof Dugouts. — All ranks must be acquainted with
the proper method of adjusting the blankets at the entrances
- i4 -
to gas-proof dugouts. The adjustment of the blankets
should be practiced in the dark when wearing box respirators.
The value of gas-proof dugouts and cellars has been
clearly demonstrated. This should be borne in mind in view
of the inflammation of the skin produced by mustard gas.
Billets and dugouts into which gas has entered must not be
occupied until they have been completely cleared of gas by
fires or fans.
Fans must be used only when fire is impossible, as they
are far less efficient than a brisk fire for a few moments.
I lb. of dry wood for each lOO cu. ft. of space in the dugout
burned briskly for lo to i5 minutes will clear it of all gas.
Hovr to detect gas and vtrhat to do
w^hen it is detected.
1. With the present wide use of gas in artillery shells,
trench mortars, bombs, cloud gas waves, and even hand
grenades, it is a very difficult matter to be sure there is no
gas around.
2. Everywhere within the reach of artillery : front line,
communication trenches, batteries, billets, or, in fact,
wherever a body of men are likely to be found, gas shell
bombardment is to be expected and guarded against. Salvos
of gas shells are sent over in the hope of catching bodies of
men unprepared or unwarned. Sucn a bombardment is apt
lo be heavy, especially at first, in order to develop a strong
concentration of gas. Not only will gas shells be sent, but
also frequently a large proportion of high explosive shells in
an attempt to conceal the former or to detractattention.
Also, gas shells are sometimes now made with such a large
amount of high explosive that their burst cannot be told
from ordinary high explosive shell.
a) Gas shells usually make a peculiar ''wobbling" noise
when they come through the air, due to their being filled
with liquid instead of a solid.
6) Generally in the case of both gas artillery shells and
gas trench mortar bombs, the sound of the burst is very
small and they are therefore sometimes considered as
"duds'* (high explosive shells that fail to burst).
c) When a gas shell explodes most of the liquid gasturns
into vapor, sometimes in the form of a white cloud. However,
this is not true of all kinds of gas.
d) If a gas shell bursts 20 yards or less to windward of
a body of men they have no time to wait for any alarm, and
unless each acts for himself he will be killed. Each must
hold his breath and get his respirator or mask on as
quickly as possible. In doing so, follow the methods des-
cribed in Drill "B" or Drill "C". Whenever putting on
a mask, do so according to the methods given in the Drills,
because these have been worked out with great pains to save
loss of time.
— i5 —
Mustard Gas (Dichlorethylsulphide). — The slight smell of
mustard gas and the absence of any immediate elTect on the
eyes and lungs make it necessary that precaution against
gas shell should be taken when any shells are falling nearby,
even if no gas be smelled or recognized.
3. Cloud gas is usually, if not invariably, phosgene or
phosgene mixed with chlorine. Both have a very distinct
irritating odor like that given by chloride of lime, v/ell known
as a disinfectant. Both are irritating to the throat and cause
coughing. There is no difficulty in recognizing them, but one
full breath of a phosgene cloud will kill a man, therefore,
hold your breath while putting on your respirator or mask.
The responsibility for recognizing cloud gas rests with the
sentries in the front line trenches. The actual gas cloud is
frequently preceded a few seconds by a hissing sound like
the escape of steam; this noise, however, can not always be
heard on account of artillery or machine gun fire. In the day
time these gas clouds are visible at quite a distance and read-
ily recognized, but as they are now used only at night or
when there is a fog, it is seldom that they can be seen more
than five seconds away.
Summary,
There are three things to do :
First : Hold your breath.
Second : Keep on holding your breath until your respi^
rator or mask is fully and accurately on .
Third : Give the alarm for all your comrades.
B. — NATURE OF GAS ATTACKS.
I. — Gas clouds.
4. This method of making a gas attack is entirely depen-
dent on the direction of the wind. The gas is carried up to
the trenches as a liquid in steel cylinders. These are dug or
set in the trench and connected with pipes leading out over
the parapet. When the valves of the cylinders are opened,
the gas escapes, usually with a hissing sound, which, on a
still night, can frequently be heard at a considerable dis-
tance. It mixes with the air and is carried by th^ wind to-
wards the opposing trenches, spreading out as it goes for-
ward. A continuous wave of gas and air is thus formed,
the color of which may vary :
a) Because of the weather conditions. In very dry air it
may be almost transparent and slightly greenish in color,
while in damp weather it forms a white cloud.
b) Because it may be mixed with smoke of any color.
5. A cloud attack can only take place when there is a
\y but not too strong wind blowing from the enemy's
||ad^
— lO —
lines towards our own. A wind between 4 "T^d 8 juiles an
hour is the most likely condition. An 8-mile wind will
carry the gas cloud twice as quickly as a man walks rapidly.
Gas attacks may occur at any time of the day, but are
most likely to be made during the night or in the early morn-
^^^' ...
Rain is without appreciable effect on a gas attack. Fogs
have hardly any effect, and may, in fact, be taken advantage
of to make an attack unexpectedly. Watercourses and ponds
are no obstruction to a gas cloud.
6. The gas used by the enemy is generally a mixture of
chlorine and phosgene, or pure phosgene, both of which are
strongly asphyxiating. The gases are heavier than air, and
therefore tend to flow along the ground and into trenches,
shelters, craters, and hollows. The gas cloud may flow
around slight rises in the ground, thus leaving patches of
country which remain free from gas.
7. Even when very dilute, chlorine can be recognized by
its peculiar smell, which is like chloride of lime, but stronger
ger and more irritating.
Both chlorine and phosgene also exert a strongly corrosive
action on metals, so that the metal parts of arms must be
carefully protected by oiling them.
8. The speed with which the gas cloud approaches depends
entirely on the wind velocity. Gas attacks have been made
with wind velocities varying from 3 to 20 miles per hour,
i. e., from i 1/2 to 10 yards per second. In a 9-mile wind,
the gas would reach trenches 100 yards distant in 20 seconds.
Gas attacks have been made on fronts varying from i to
5 miles. Their effects at points up to 12 miles behind the
front trenches have been sufQciently severe to make it neces-
sary to wear masks.
II. — Gas projectiles.
9. The use of these depends very little on the direction of
the wind. In gas projectiles such as shells, hand grenades,
and trench mortar bombs, a part or whole of the explosive
charge is replaced by a liquid which is converted into gas
by the explosion. The explosive force and noise of detona-
tion of these projectiles is generally less than that of the
ordinary kind, and a large number of them are usually dis-
charged into a comparatively small space. After the explo-
sion, the liquid gas forms a small cloud, though some of it
may sink into the ground and remain active for a consider-
able time. Mustard gas may so remain for 12 to 48 hours
or even longer in cool weather.
For gas shells, the best condition is calm, or with a wind
of low velocity.
Gas projectiles can be used in all types of country.
— 17 —
Woods, tall grass, bushes, cornfields, and clumps of buildings
may hold the gas active for a considerable time.
Several kinds of. shell gas are used by the enemy :
Poisonous Shells : Immediate death. — The gases in some
shells may cause instant death if a single breath is taken.
These usually contain Hydrocyanic Acid (Prussic Acid) or
an allied substance which causes death ny action on the
nervous system, paralyzing the respiration and resulting in
convulsions, coma, and death. These are little used nov^.
Delayed death and delayed blindness. — Phosgene, chloro-
picrin, and mustard gas by destroying the lungs cause death
from a few^ hours up to several days, especially if there has
been any exertion after breathing the gas.
The new **Mustard Gas"(Di-chlor-elhyl-sulphide), after se-
veral hours, causes the eyelids to swell up so that sight is
lost for one to four weeks with intense pain in the eyes; the
skin is also burnt by it, though death is only caused by its
action on the lungs.
Its danger lies in its insidious nature, because no appre-
ciable irritation is caused at the time. It has a slight odor
like mustard or garlic though even this smell may be dis-
guised. The respirator and mask afford perfect protection
against it.
Lachrymators. — These shells contain various substances
of a nature irritating to the eyes, which makes them water
and which causes immediate pain. While their immediate
action is strongly irritant to the eyes, they may also cause a
delayed general poisoning resultmg in death. Respirators
or masks must always be put on whenever an area is shelled
by these missiles. Gas shells are occasionally sent alternately
with High Explosive, the latter masking the presence of the
former.
III. — Smoke.
11. The enemy may make use of smoke, either in the
form of a cloud or emitted from shells and bombs. Smoke
may be used with gas or between gas clouds ; it may also
be used alone to distract attention from a real discharge of
gas, to cover the advance of infantry, or merely as a false
gas attack.
IV, — Mine and explosion gases.
.2. The poisonous gases which occur in mines, and
which are formed in large quantities when high explosive
goes off in an enclosed space (e. g., from a direct hit in a
dugout, or from the explosion of a charge in a mine) are not
protected against by the ordinary anti-gas appliances. The
chief of these gases is carbon monoxide. Protection against
such gases will not be considered in these notes.
DEFENSIVE MEASURES 2
II. - ORGANIZATION OF GAS DEFENSE
13. Commanding Officers are held responsible that all the
anti-gas appliances for protecting their men are maintained
in perfect condition, and that all ranks under their command
are thoroughly trained in the use of these appliances and in
all other measures which may afl'ect their safety against gas.
Summary of protective measures.
14. a) Respirators and masks for each man.
b) Inspection, of respirators and masks and training in
their use and instruction in all other measures of gas defense.
c) Protected and gas-proof shelters.
d) Weather observations to determine periods when the
conditions are most favorable to a hostile gas attack.
e) Arrangement of signals and messages for immediate
warning of a gas attack.
J) Appliances for clearing gas from trenches and shelters.
A. — ORGANIZATION OF ANTI-GAS DUTIES.
15. All ranks must be fully conversant with the measures
to be adopted for defense against gas attacks as laid down
in the Orders of their formation or unit (*).
A Chief Gas Officer is appointed in each Division, so that
technical advice is readily available on all matters connected
with gas defense. Apart from this, the following scheme of
anti-gas duties should be adopted within units.
B. — ANTI-GAS DUTIES WITHIN
AN INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(To be modified for other units to suit their organization
and duties.)
16. The Commanding Officer will be directly responsible
for all measures against gas attacks, and Company Com-
manders will be responsible to the C. 0. for all anti-gas
measures within their companies.
Regimental Gas Officer. — To aid the Regimental Com-
mander in seeing that all anti-gas measures are efficiently
carried out. Regimental Gas Officers are appointed on the
Regimental commander's staff.
The special duties of the Regimental Gas Officer will be
fully laid down in special instructions that will be issued
from time to time by the Chief of the Gas Service.
In each Company one N.C. 0., who has been trained at
an Anti-Gas Scnool, and who should be recommended by the
Division Gas Officer as suitable for duty as " Company
(*) For typical Divisional Standing Orders, see Appendix IV
— 19 —
Gas N.G.O.", will be specially detailed to assist the
Company Commander in anti-gas measures. At least one
other similarly trained and recommended N.C.O. will be
immediately available to take the place of the Gas N.C.O.
in case of need.
A similarly trained Gas N.C.O. will be detailed to Bat-
talion H. 0. for duty with H.Q. details.
17. The special duties of Gas N. C. O.'s will be definitely
laid down in Regiments (*). Other duties may, however, be
performed, provided that these do not interfere with the gas
duties laid down.
18. In order to secure the necessary training in all mat-
ters pertaining to defense against gas attacks, the following
officers and N.C.O.'s should attend a course at a Corps or
other Anti-Gas School.
a) Officers.
i) The Commanding Officer or Second in Command, and
the Medical Officer.
2) All Company Commanders.
3) Other Officers where possible.
b) N.C.O :s.
i) Two per Company and 2 per Battalion H.Q.
2) Supplementary N.C.O.'s, to be trained whenever pos-
sible, so as to have a reserve from which to df^w to replace
Gas N.C.O.'s, in case of need.
The selected N. CO. 's, who attend the Anti-Gas Schools
will be reported on by the Officer in Charge as follows : At
the end of the course the Director of the (jas School will, ii
the N.C.O, is, in his opinion, suitable for duty as "Com-
pany Gas N.C.O.", notify the CO. concerned to this
effect. The latter will then cause the words " passed Anti-
Gas School " to be entered on his service record. Only N. C
O.'s, who have been thus reported on favorably should be
detailed for duty as Company Gas N.C.O.'s.
19. CO.'s will facilitate in every way the duties of the
various officers of the Gas Service in visiting their lines and
inspecting anti-gas arrangements, testing Strombos horn
cylmders, etc. They should take every opportunity of
consulting with officers of the Gas Service on all technical
questions relating to anti-gas measures within their lines.
C. — PERSONAL ANTI-GAS EQUIPMENT.
I. — Equipment carried.
20. Each man is provided with a small box respirator and
a mask. He must be made to realize that these appliances
are personal equipment, that they are of importance second
(*) For typicar Standing Orders for Company Gas N.C.O.'s, see
Appendix V.
20 —
ENTRANCE TO
GAS-PROOF DUGOUT
BLANKET roNed up .'— c
^^^^^^^^
'%l-^r
, 2*J - — .
■~\ -JT^PiecB oFcorrugatec/
tiy I iron foprotecfroJI
J-— frdm rain
B/an kef Frame of /'"C",
frame fo be made a/r
J. ^ /*/>/>/ against wa/ls
Nof9: Door fe Aospifaf
7 f«ef */- sfrtf^er
FfiONT ELEVAT/ON
OF E:NrRANCE
Oufer BLANf<Er ro/led up
Con f/af ro/ler /'x3"piank)
and he/d by s^r/ngs fi'ed
I'n a bow
SECTION THROUGH
ENTRANCE
Fig. 1 and 2.
21
only to his weapons, and that his life may depend on looking
after them and keeping them in good order.
21. The small box respirator is the most important pro-
tective apparatus. It is always to be used first in case of a
gas attack, unless special orders are issued to the contrary.
It will protect against all poisonous gases with the exception
of mine and explosion gases, and will not become exhausted
for hours, even in concentrations of gas generally unobtainable
in the field.
22. The mask is an emergency or reserve defense. It is
only to be used if the owner should not have a box respi-
rator or if the latter should be found, for any reason, to be
defective.
II. — When and where carried.
23. a) Both respirator and mask should be carried within
5 miles of the front line.
b) When the wind is safe, working parties during work
and at the discretion of the officer in command, may lake off
their box respirators between 2 and 5 miles from the front
line, provided ihey are placed conveniently at hand for use
in case of a sudden gas shell attack or change of wind. The
mask will always be carried.
c) At distances greater than 5 miles the mask only need
be carried, the box respirator being kept with the equipment
under arrangements by the G. 0. of the Unit.
D. — PROTECTION OF SHELTERS.
I. — Methods of protection.
24. The fundamental principle to remember is that gas
will follow the smallest current of air and make the dugout
dangerous.
25. Cojaversely, if the entrances to the dugout are so
arranged as to prevent air currents, the dugout remains
safe for many hours even when there is a strong concentra-
tion of gas outside.
26. For these reasons, where tactically practicable, it is
desirable to have only one entrance with double doors to
each dugout, and no chimney.
27. If a chimney is necessary it must be so arranged t^at
the stove pipe can be readily removed and the chimney
opening quickly closed airtight. Great care should be
taken in fitting this opening so that it will be air-tight, as
otherwise well coiistructed dugouts are rendered unsafe.
All entrances must be protected by double doors with an air
space between. The best way of arranging such an en-
trance is shown in the diagram page 20.
a) The frames A and B made of 6" X i" planks, are fitted
22
to the entrance to the dugout at such a slope that the bottom
of the frame is out about i foot for a height of 5 feet. Care
must be taken in fitting in these frames to leave no cracks
between the frame and the earth or the sandbags forming
the sides or roof of the entrance.
b) Blanket cloth cut to the proper size is nailed to the top
of the frame with a lath to prevent tearing. The blanket
cloth must overlap the face of the frame by at least 3, and
better still 6 inches.
c) A Jlat roller, made of i inch board about 3 inches wide
is nailed to the bottom of the blanket on the outside so that
when the blanket is unrolled it lies tight against the outside
bottom part of the frame, but not touching the ground.
d) The frames of the inner and outer doors snould not be
less than 3 feet apart in order to allow a man to enter the
air space and adjust the first blanket before passing through
the second. For medical dugouts the air space should be
8 feet long and 3 feet wide to allow a stretcher to pass through.
e) It has been found useful to sew small metal weiqnls
along the sides of the curtain, which fall over strips nailed
on tne face of door-frame sides, top, and bottom. This
causes the curtain to close more tightly.
Curtain
/ Weight
Wood strip, covered with blanket cloth
Fig. 3.
Another method for closing'those dugouts that are not used
during attack is to nail two strips along the face of the door
and another to fit in the space between the two.
Strip to clamp curtain
CURTAIN^^-^
aa
Door Face
Strips naubd
on and covered
W/TH BLANKET CLOTH
Fig. 4.
— 23 —
/) When not in use the blankets are to be kept rolled up
arid so held that they can be instantly released. For the outer
door a piece of galvanized iron or other sheet metal is placed
across the top of the doorway to protect the blanket from
rain when it is rolled up.
g) To render blankets completely air tight they must be
kept wet; therefore a Vermorel sprayer or a simple can of
water should be kept in a special niche in the air space for
moistening the blankets. Chemicals for neutralizing the
gases are not necessary, but some substance like glycerine is
good, as that tends to hold water and to absorb it from the air.
Material wet with a solution of water and glycerine does
not dry readily.
h) Men must pass tlirough each doorway quickly, and
immediately readjust the curtain before touching the second
curtain.
/) On gas alarm being given, all fires in dugouts must be
put out, the chimney opening closed tight, and the entrance
curtains let down and sprayed. All persons in the dugout
must be awakened and all must put on their masks, as some
gas may leak in through faulty construction of the dugout, or
by some one coming in with gas on his clothes.
H. — Shelters or dugouts ^which should be protected.
28. The following should always be protected with gas-
proof entrances :
Medical aid-posts and advanced dressing stations. Com-
pany, Battalion, Regimental, and Brigade Headquarters,
Signal Shelters, and any other place where work has to be
carried out during a gas attack.
29. In addition to the above, it is desirable to protect all
dugouts, cellars, and buildings within shell fire area, parti-
cularly those of artillery personnel. It should be noted,
however, that the protection of dugouts for troops in the
front line of trenches is usually inadvisable on account of
the delay involved in getting men out in time of attack. It
is desirable to protect stretcher bearers' dugouts with a view
to putting casualties in them.
E. — PROTECTION OF WEAPONS
AND EQUIPMENT.
30. Arms and ammunition and the metal parts of special
equipment (e. g., telephone instruments) must be carefully
protected against gas iDy oiling them or keeping them coni-
pletely covered. Otherwise, particularly in damp weather,
they may rust or corrode so badly as to refuse to act. A
mineral oil must be used for this purpose. The following,
in particular, should be protected :
24 -
I. — Small arms and small arms ammunition.
31. Machine guns and rifles must be kept carefully clean-
ed and well oiled. The effects of corrosion of ammunition
are of even more importance than the direct effects of gas
upon machine guns and rifles themselves.
Ammunition boxes must be kept closed. Vickers belts
should be kept in their boxes until actually required for use.
The wooden belt boxes are fairly gas-tight, but metal belt
boxes should be made gas-tight by inserting strips of flamielette
in the joint between the lid and the box.
Lewis magazines should be kept in some form of box, the
joints of which are made as gas-tight as possible with flan-
nelette.
A recess should be made, high up in the parapet if pos-
sible, for storing ammunition and guns. A blanket curtain,
moistened with water or Vermorel sprayer solution, will
greatly assist in keeping the gas out.
II. — Hand and rifle grenades.
32. Unboxed grenades should be kept covered as far as
possible. All safety pins and working parts, especially
those made of brass, should be kept oiled to prevent their
setting from corrosion by the gas.
III. — Light trench mortars and their ammunition.
33. As far as the supply of oil permits, the bore and all
bright parts of light trench mortars and their spare parts
should be kept permanently oiled. When not in use, mor-
tars should be covered with sacking or similar material.
Unboxed ammunition should be kept covered as far as
possible, and the bright parts oiled immediately after arri-
val. Ammunition which has been in store for some time
should be used up first.
IV. — Guns, medium and heavy trench mortars,
and their ammunition.
34. The protection of artillery and artillery ammunition
is dealt witn in par. 109.
V. — Signal equipment.
35. The protection of signal equipment is dealt with in
par. 116.
lb —
F. — WIND OBSERVATION.
36. The Meteorological Service reports to Headquarters
of Corps and Divisions whenever the wind passes into a dan-
gerous quarter, showing the direction and strength of the
wind. As a result of these reports, "Gas Alert" is ordered
by Corps or Division H. Q, These general reports, however,
refer to large tracts of country, and it is possible that on isol-
ated lengths of front, conditions of terrain or the alignment
of the trenches may permit of local air currents which are
favorable to the enemy. It is essential, therefore, that the
troops themselves should be on the look-out for the possibility
of a gas attack.
The wind frequently changes its direction at night, thus
creating conditions different from those existing in the day
time.
The cooling of the air from midnight till dawn produces
downward currents, and hence so far as air currents are
concerned makes the period j^st before dawn the best for
gas attacks.
A wind blowing down a steep slope into a valley tends to
follow the direction of the valley and may thus be changed
as much as 90 degrees in direction.
To make necessary wind observations, there should be a
good wind station every i/4 mile within 100 yards of the
front line. Each should be so situated as to give conditions
outside of trenches rather than inside but should not be
close enough to headquarters to subject it to shell fire in case
it is sighted by the enemy.
Observations have shown the wind to be mostly in our
favor during the summer and fall and mostly in the enemy's
favor during spring.
Company Commanders are responsible that wind obser-
vations are made on their Company front every three hours,
or oftener if the wind is in, or appproaching, a dangerous
quarter, and the reports forwarded through the usual
channels to Brigade H.Q. For the method of making
these observations and preparing the reports, see Ap-
pendix V.
I
G. — THE GAS ALERT PERIOD.
I. — Order for gas alert. i
37. Gas alert will be ordered when the wind is in the
dangerous quarter, no matter what the strength of the
wind.
The order "Gas Alert" will be sent out to all units by
Corps H.Q. (or, if authority has been so delegated, by
Division H. Q.), but Brigade or Regimental H. Q., or
Battalion Commanders are empowered to order a " Gas
— 26 —
Alert *' as a result of wind observations forwarded by Com-
pany Commanders. Such action will be reported immedi-
ately to the next higher formation.
Gas Alert notices should be posted at the entrance to
each main communication trench and at other suitable
points within Divisional Areas.
II. — Precautions during gas alert.
a) Inspection.
38. All box respirators and masks should be carefully
inspected, and the inspection should be repeated daily.
Steps must be taken to ascertain if al gas alarm appliances
are in their positions and in good ord
b) Alert position of respirators ani masks.
39. All ranks within two miles of the front line must
carry their box respirators (or their masks, should they have
no box respirators) in the alert position. The press buttons
of the flap of the box respirator satchel must be unfastened.
During gas alert the chin strap of the steel helmet must
be worn on the point and not under the chin, as it will
impede the rapid adjustment of the respirator or mask.
c) Sentries, etc.
40. A sentry should be posted at each Strombos horn or
other alarm device and instructed in its use, and all working
parties should have a sentry posted to give instant warning
of a gas attack.
A sentry should also be posted at every large shelter or
roup of small shelters and at each Headquarters, Signal
ffice, and independent body of men.
Arrangements must be made by the officer in charge of
the trench for warning the Artillery Observation Post if
there is one in the trench.
Commanders of units in billets within 8 miles of the front
line trenches must organize a system of giving the alarm
and rousing all men in cellars or houses.
At night sentries should have at least two men within
reach of them, so that the alarm can be spread rapidly.
d) Sleeping.
41. When a gas attack is probable, men in front line
trenches should sleep on the jBre.step instead of in dugouts.
Men sleeping in rearward lines, or in works where they are
allowed to take off their equipment, must sleep with their
box respirators on the person.
e) Company Gas N. C. O.'s.
42. Company Gas N. C. O.'s will report to Company
t
— 27 —
H. (2- in readiness to assist the Company Commander should
a gas attack occur.
f) Officers and N. C. O.'s.
43. Officers and N. C. 0/s in command of any unit or
party must see that the above orders are strictly carried out,
both for troops in front line trenches and for detached
bodies of troops (working and carrying parties, etc.).
III. — Removal of gas alert.
44. (ias alert will not be taken off without the authority
of the Corps Commander or the Division Commander to
whom authority has been delegated.
On the receipt of orders for the removal of ^as alert, the
notices on the subject will be amended accordingly.
H. — CLOUD GAS ALARM.
I. — Method of giving the alarm.
45. For the purpose of giving the alarm the Strombos
horn, which is audible for very long distances, is the most
important appliance. Its main use is for conveying the
alarm to troops in support and reserve lines. In addition,
some local appliance, such as a gong or suspended rail,
must be fastened up at every sentry's post for the purpose of
rousing the men in the immediate vicinity and for conveying
the alarm to the sentries in charge of the strombos horns.
Strombos horns should be in the front line, at intervals
ordinarily not greater than 4oo yards, and at such other
points behind the front as required to ensure transmission of
warning. As much use as possible should be made of the
telephone for transmitting the gas alarm, though it can not
be relied upon owing to the possibility of its breaking
down.
No reliance can be placed on methods of giving the alarm
involving the use of the lungs; e. g., bugles or whistles.
46. Sentries must be prepared to give the alarm on the
first appearance of gas, as a few seconds delay may involve
very serious consequences. Signals must be passed along by
all sentries as soon as heard.
The earliest warning of a gas cloud attack is generally
given :
a) By the noise of the gas escaping from the cylinders
6) By the appearance of a cloud of any color over the
enemy's trenches. If the attack takes place at night, the
cloud will not be visible from a distance.
KBy the smell of the gas in listening posts.
— 28 —
11. — Action to be taken in the trenches
on gas alarm.
47. a) Respirators to be put on immediately by all ranks
(mask, if no box respirator is available).
b) Rouse all men in trenches, dugouts and mine shafts,
warn officers and artillery observation posts and all working
men.
c) Artillery support to be called for by Company Com-
manders, by means of prearranged signals.
d) Warn Battalion H. Q. and troops in rear.
e) All ranks stand to arms in the front trenches and
elsewhere where the tactical situation demands.
f) Blanket curtains at entrances to protected shelters to
be let down, carefully fixed, and wet with water or chemical
solutions.
g) Movement to cease except where necessary.
HI. — Action to be taken in billets and back areas.
48. a) All men in cellars or houses to be roused.
b) The blanket curtains of protected cellars, etc., to be let
down, fixed in position, and sprinkled.
c) Box respirators to be put on immediately the gas is
apparent.
I. — ACTION DURING A CLOUD GAS ATTACK.
I. — Protective measures.
49. There should be as little moving about and talking as
possible in the trenches. Men must be made to realize that
with the gas now used by the enemy, observance of this may
be essential for their safety.
When an attack is in progress, all bodies of troops or
transport on the move should halt and all working parties
cease work until the gas cloud has passed.
If a relief is going on, units should stand fast as far as
possible until the gas cloud has passed.
Supports and parties bringing up bombs should only be
moved up if the tactical situation demands it.
50. If troops in support or reserve lines of trenches remain
in, or go into, dugouts, they must continue to wear their
anti-gas appliances.
Officers and N. C. O.'s must on no account remove or
open up the masks of the box respirators or raise their
masks to give orders. The breathing tube may be removed
from the mouth when it is necessary to speak, but it must
be replaced before drawing breath.
51. Men must always be on the look-out to help each
other in case a box respirator or mask is damaged by fire or
accident. When a man is wounded, he must be watched
to see that he does not remove his respirator or mask until
he is safely inside a protected shelter ; if necessary, his hands
should be tied.
Men must be warned that if they are slightly gassed
before adjusting their respirators or masks they must not
remove them.
m
II. — Tactical xneasures.
52. From the point of view of protection against gas,
nothing is gained by men remaining in unprotected dugouts
or by moving to a flank or to the rear. It is, therefore,
desirable that on tactical and disciplinary grounds all men
in the front line of trenches should be forbidden to do these
things. In support or reserve lines, where there are pro-
tected dugouts, it is advisable for men to stay in them
unless the tactical situation makes it desirable tor them to
come out.
54. Nothing is gained by opening rapid rifle fire unless
the enemy's infantry attacks. A slow rate of fire from
rifles and occasional short bursts of fire from machine guns
will lessen the chance of their jamming from the action of
the gas and tends to occupy and steady the infantry.
55. It should be remembered that the enemy's infantry
cannot attack while the gas discharge is in progress and is
unlikely to do so for an appreciable time — at least lo minutes
— after it has ceased. It is, in fact, a common practice for the
enemy infantry to retire to the second and third line of
trench whilst gas is being discharged. There is, therefore,
no object in opening an intense S.O.S. barrage of artillery
on "jNo man 's land" during the actual gas cloud and it is
advisable that the warning to the Artillery of a gas attack
should be a signal differing from the ordinary S. O. S.
signal, as the latter may have to be sent later if an infantry
attack develops.
56. It must be remembered that smoke may be used by
the enemy at the same time as, or alternately with, the gas
and that under cover of a smoke cloud he may send out
assaulting or raiding parties. A careful look-out must,
therefore, be kept ; hostile patrols or raiders may be
frustrated by cross-fire of rifles and machine guns and should
an assault develop the ordinary S.O.S. procedure should
be carried out.
3o —
J. — PRECAUTIONS AGAINST GAS SHELLS.
57. When gas is smelt men may not realize its possibly
dangerous character at once and so may delay putting on
respirators or masks until too late. Men sleeping in dugouts
may be seriously affected unless they are roused. The fol-
lowing points should therefore be attended to :
58. i) All shells which explode with a small detonation
or appear to be blind should be regarded with particular
attention, though all shell should be suspected of carrying
gas; the respirator or mask should be put on at the first
indication of gas, and blanket protection of shelters adjusted.
2) Arrangements must be made for giving a local alarm
with klaxons, etc., in the event of a bombardment with
poison gas shells, but Strombos horns must on no account
be used to give warning of a gas shell bombardment.
3) All shelters in the vicinity of an area bombarded with
poison gas shells must be visited and any sleeping men
roused.
4) Box respirators or masks should continue to be worn
throughout the area bombarded with poison gas shells until
the order is given by the local unit Commander for their
removal.
59. Lachrymatory or *'tear" shells are frequently used by
the enemy for the purpose of hindering the movements of
troops, for preventing the bringing up of supports, or for inter-
fering with the action of artillery.
Owing to the deadly nature of poison gas shells, however,
the precautions given in par. 58 above must be taken for
all shells, until certain no gas shells are being used.
K. — PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN WITH REGARD
TO OUR OWN USE OF GAS IN CYLINDERS,
BOMBS, ETC.
60. Protection of troops is necessary during our own gas
attacks. Adequate protective measures should always be pos-
sible, as arrangements can be made in advance and the
element of surprise can be excluded. The following points
should be noted :
I. — Handling gas cylinders.
61. Men engaged in carrying or digglng-in gas cylinders
should carrv their box respirators in the '^ Alert" position.
3i
II. — Action when gas cylinders
are in position in trenches.
62. a) Box respirators should be carried in the ** Alert"
position by troops in front line trenches.
b) If a cyh'nder is burst by shell-fire, men should retire
upwind for a short distance, if possible. Dugouts in the
neighborhood of the burst must be evacuated at once.
III. — Action during our gas attacks.
63. a) It is advisable that all troops, except those whose
presence is considered absolutely necessary, should be with-
drawn from the front trench before gas is discharged. Any
officer or man who has special orders to remain must wear
his box respirator.
b) All troops in any part of the front line within half a
mile of the nearest point where gas is being discharged must
ivear their box respirators.
c) If troops advance after a cloud gas attack has been
made, it must be remembered that the gas may hang about
for a considerable time in long grass, shell holes, and hollows,
and for several hours in the enemy's dugouts and shelters.
Raiding or reconnoitering parties after a gas discharge should
carry their respirators in the Alert position. Dugouts should
not be occupied until they have been thoroughly ventilated
and the absence of gas established. This is equally neces-
sary with regard to shelters which have been penetrated by
gas from shells or bombs.
IV. — Gas bombs and grenades.
64. These may, if necessary, be stored with other ammu-
nition. In the event of leakage they should be buried in the
ground 3 1/2 feet d^ep. They should not be thrown into
water. All rescue work and disposal of leaky shells should
be carried out by men wearing box respirators and gloves.
l»
ACTION AFTER A CLOUD GAS ATTACK.
I. — General.
65. The most important measure to be taken after a cloud
gas attack is to prepare for a further attack. The enemy
frequently sends several successive waves of gas at intervals
varying from a few minutes up to several hours, and it is
therefore necessary to be on the alert to combat this proce-
dure. The following measures should be adopted as soon as
»gas cloud has passed :
i.
— 32 —
a) Removal of respirators. — Anti-gas fans should be used
to assist in clearing the trenches of gas, so as to admit of
respirators being removed. Box respirators and masks must
not be removed until permission has been given by the Com-
pany Commander, who will, when possible, ascertain from
officers and N. C. 0/s who have been trained at a Gas School
that it is safe to do so.
b) Return to the Alert position. — After removal of respira-
tors in order to' be ready for a subsequent attack, box respi-
rators and mnsks must be put back in the Alert position.
A sharp look-out must be kept for a repetition of the gas
attack, as long as the wind continues in a dangerous quarter.
II. — Movement.
66. Owing to the enemy gas sometimes causing bad after-
effecls, which are intensified by any exertion, the following
points should be attended to :
a) No man suffering from the eflects of gas, however slightly,
should be allowed to walk to the dressing station.
b) The clearing of the trenches and dugouts should not be
carried out by men who have been affected by the gas.
c) After a gas attack, troops in the front trenches should
be relieved of all fatigue and carrying work for 24 hours by
sending up working parties from companies in rear.
' d) Horses which have been exposed to the gas should not
be worked for 24 hours if it can be avoided.
III. — Clearing dugouts and other shelters.
"^ 67. It is essential that no dugout be entered after a gas
attack, except with box respirators or masks adjusted, until
it has been ascertained that it is free from gas. The only
efficient method of clearing dugouts from gas is by thorough
ventilation. The older method of spraying is not efficient.
An appreciable quantity of gas may be retained in the
clothing of men exposed to gas attacks and also in bedding,
coats, etc., left in shelters. Precautions should, therefore,
be taken to air all clothing.
a) Ventilation.
68. Natural Ventilation. — Unless a shelter has been thor-
oughly ventilated by artificial means, as described below, it
must not be slept in, or occupied without wearing respirators,
until at least 12 hours have elapsed. It must not be entered
at all without respirators on for at least 3 hours. The above
refers to cloud gas attacks. In the case of gas shell bom-
bardments the times cannot be definitely stated, as they de-
pend on the nature of the gas used and the severity of the
bombardment. With lachrymatory gases or mustard gas
the times after which shelters can be used without discom-
fort may be much longer than those mentioned above.
— 33 —
69. Ventilation by Fire. — All kinds of shelters can be
efficiently and rapidly cleared of gas by the use of fires.
Shelters with two openings are the easiest to ventilate but
most difficult to protect.
In dugouts provided with a single exit at the end of a short
passage, the best results are obtained if the fire i^ placed in
the centre of the floor of the dugout and at a height of about
6 inches.
In dugouts provided with a single exit at the end of a long
and nearly 'horizontal passage, the best results are obtained
if the fire is placed in the dugout about one-third of the dis-
tance from the inner end of the passage.
In dugouts provided with two or more exits, the fire
should be placed at the inner end of one of the exit passages
away from the direction of the wind in order to give a good
draft through the dugout.
70. In general, i lb., of dry wood per lOO cubic feet of
air space is sufficient for clearance of any gas. The best
fuel is split wood, but any fuel which does not smoulder or
give off thick smoke can be used. The materials for the
fire, e. g., the split wood, newspaper, and a small bottle of
kerosene for lighting purposes, should be kept in a sandbag
enclosed in a tin box provided with a lid. An improvised
stove should be kept ready for use.
The fire must be kept burning for at least i5 minutes and
the atmosphere in the shelter should be tested from time to
time.
If mustard gas or a similar one with very high boiling point
should burst so as to scatter liquid gas in the dugout^ venti-
lation alone is not sufficient. In order to be safe under 2 to
3 days the liquid would have to be thoroughly treated with
chloride of lime.
71. Ventilation by Fanning. — Dugouts can be ventilated
by producing air currents in them by means of special anti-
gas fans. A full description of the anti-gas fan and the me-
thod of using it to clear gas from trenches and shelters is
given later (see par. 96-100).
It* no anti-gas fans are available, ventilation can be assisted
by flapping with improvised fans such as sandbags, blan-
kets, etc.
b) Sprayers.
72. Vermorel sprayers will not clear gas:' rom trenches.
The solution has very little effect on phosgene, and even
with the addition of other chemicals it cannot be relied upon
to remove gas from the air. Vermorel sprayers are only for
wetting blankets on doors of dugouts.
It
DEFKNSIVK MEASURES
34
IV. — Gleaning of arms and ammunition.
73. Rifles and machine guns must be cleaned after a gas
attack and then re-oiled. Oil cleaning will prevent corro-
sion for 12 hours or more, but the first available opportunity
must be taken to dismantle machine guns and clean all parts
in boiling water containing a little soda. If this is not done,
corrosion continues slowly even after oil cleaning and may
ultimately put the gun out of action.
After a gas attack, small arms ammunition should be care-
fully exammed. All rounds affected by gas must be replaced
by new cartridges immediately and the old ones cleaned and
expended as soon as possible.
74. All hand and rifle grenades exposed to the gas should
have their safety-pins and working parts cleaned and re-
oiled.
75. All bright parts of light trench mortars, together with
all accessories and spare parts exposed to the gas, must be
cleaned and wiped dry as soon as possible after the attack, and
m any case within 24 hours, after which they should be tho-
roughly coated afresh with oil. The same applies to ammu-
nition which may have been exposed to the gas.
Ammunition which, for any reason, had not been oiled,
must be cleaned and oiled and linul as soon as ])ossiblc.
For details regarding the cleaning of guns and artillery
ammunition and signal equipment, sec par. log and iiG.
V. — Treatment of shell holes.
76. In the neighborhood of shelters or battery positions
where gas from shell holes is causing annoyance, the holes
and the ground round them should be covered with at least
a foot of fresh earth or a quarter of an inch of chloride of
lime. Shell holes covered with earth should not be disturbed,
as the chemical is not thereby destroyed and only disappears
slowly. This is particularly true of mustard gas.
35
III. — PROTECTIVE APPLIANCES.
A. — INDIVIDUAL PROTECTIVE APPARATUS.
I. — Box respirator.
a) Description.
11. The box respirator consists of a box packed with chem-
icals and connected by means of a flexible rubber tube lo
an impervious face piece or mask. The inspired air enters
through a valve in the bottom of the box; the expired air
is expelled through a valve just outside the face-piece. The
wearer breathes in and out through a mouthpiece inside the
mask, breathing through the nose being prevented by a nose-
clip inserted in the face piece. The latter is made of gas-
proof fabric and is arranged to fit the face closely, being
held in position by two elastic bands. As it encloses the
eyes, the mask is fitted with two eyepieces which allow a
wide field of vision. These should be treated with anti-
dimmiug composition, but if necessary they can be clean-
ed without removing the respirator, by means of folds in the
material. The mouth-piece can be removed from the mouth
to enable the wearer to speak without disturbing the fit of
the mask. The complete respirator is carried in a special
satchel which is divided into two compartments, one of
which holds the box and the other the mask. The box rests
on a metal saddle which raises it from the bottom of the sat-
chel and allows the free access to air.
b) Personal Fitting.
78. It is necessary that each man should have a box res-
pirator, the mask of which properly fits his face. For this
reason the face pieces are made in six sizes, four of which
are regular issues and the other two are obtained on special
requisition. The various sizes will be needed probably in
the following proportions :
No. o. Extra small o.i o/o (Special requisition)
No. I. Very small o.3 o/o
No. 2. Small 3.o o/o'
No. 3. Medium 75.0 %
No. 4* Large i5.o 0/0
No. 5. Extra large 2.0 0/0
The fit of each man's mask must be inspected and then
tested in a gas chamber. Almost any room which can be
closed up tightly may be used for this purpose, but the most
suitable arrangement is to have a double door or a door and
— 36 --
a curtain, similar to the protected dugouts, so that as little
of the gas as possible escapes into the outer air. A still
better arrangement is to use two adjoining rooms, the inner
of which is the actual gas chamber. A small quantity of
lachrymatory liquid is sprayed into the room, and the man
enters, wearing his box respirator. He must remain in the
room five minutes and move about and talk. If the mask
does not fit. lachrymation (juickly ensues and the man retires.
He should then be examined to see whether the lack of fit is
due to bad adjustment or to his having a wrong size of mask.
In the latter case, a different size must be issued and the
test repeated.
The fitting and adjusting of masks cannot be too thoroughly
carried out. Special attention must be paid to the fitting of
the mask and nose-clip with men who wear spectacles.
c) Method of Use.
79. The satchel containing the box respirator is carried
outside all other equipment. When away from the trenches,
it may be worn slung over the right shoulder, but men in
the trenches or proceeding thither must carry it slung on
the chest in the *' Alert'" position. The flap of the satchel
with the press buttons must always be towards the body, but
the press buttons must be kept fastened, except during the
actual '*^Gas alert". The method of wearing the box res-
pirator and of putting it on from the '* Alert" position are
fully described in Appendix I. It is important that the methods
therein described should be practised by all who are equipped
with the box respirator, to ensure rapidity in adjustment
and proper care in its use.
80. Men with perforated ear drums may be affected by
the gas penetrating through the ear passages to the respi-
ratory organs and causing irritation there. In these cases it
is useful to plug the ears with wadding. C. O.'s should
ascertain from the Medical Officers in charge of their units
the names of those suffering from this disability in order that
the above precaution may be taken.
81. It must be remembered that the box respirator can be
worn in gas for many hours without losing its efficiency
or causing any distress. It may be breathed through in drills
for a period of an hour per week for l\o weeks when it should
be turned in. This permits a drill period of at least an
hour per week.
d) Replacement. Record of Use.
82. The correct keeping of records as to hours of use of
the box respirator, by entries in the small book forming part
of the repair outfit, is a matter of the greatest importance,
as these records form the only guide as to whether the
boxes should or should not be replaced. Decision as to replace
- 37 -
merit should be made on the advice of the Chief Gas Officer
of the Division. The approximate time of actually breathing
through the box should be noted. These entries must
always be made after drills and gas attacks, great care being
taken that they are correct.
e) Inspection. .
83. Box respirators must be normally inspected once a
week and daily during ^'Gas Alert".
It is of the utmost importance that the inspection should
be carried out regularly and with the greatest care. Any
neglect in doing this may lead to loss of life.
The points to be attended to will be found in Appendix II.
f) Anli-Dimming Composition.
84. At the weekly inspection and after every time the
respirator is worn, the composition provided for the purpose
will be put on the eyepieces in the manner described in
Appendix II.
g) Local Repairs.
85. A small repair outfit, consisting of pieces of adhesive
plaster is included, with a record card, in each satchel.
Small perforations in the face-pieces can be made good by
applying pieces of the adhesive plaster to the perforation,
both inside and outside the mask. They should be large
enough to overlap the hole all round. Box respirators so
repaired should be exchanged as soon as possible. The
repair is only intended to make them safe until a new respi-
rator can be obtained.
No other local repairs are permitted and all defective
respirators must be handed in and new ones obtained.
Box respirators which have fallen into water must be
exchanged as soon as possible.
II. — The mask.
a) General.
86. The mask is the reserve defence against a gas attack
and great care must be taken by officers to insure that it
is in good order and that men have been trained in its use.
b) Sizes and proportion of each.
The mask is made in 3 sizes and the proportion of each
size which will be needed for issue to a command is approx-
imately as follows.
Small 3 o/o.
Medium 87 o/q.
Large 10 0/0.
The main point to be impressed on the men is that the
L
— 38 —
chemically treated material of the mask acts as a filter and
that all air breathed into the lungs must pass through the
gauze.
The mask is therefore useless unless properly adjusted so
that no air may pass in around the edges. During its passage
through the material of the mask all poisonous gas is
absorbed by the chemicals.
The mask must be preserved from wet and should be
removed from its container only for inspection and drill.
Every man should shave at least once a day, as a heavy
growth of beard may permit the entrance of sufficient gas
to injure a man seriously. For the same reason the hair
should be kept short enough to nowhere catch under the
edges of the mask.
c) Manner of Carry incf.
The mask should be worn over the left shoulder and
should hang on the right side. It should be hung in position
before the Box Respirator is hung on in order that the strap
of the mask may not interfere with the ready adjustment of
the respirator in the alert position.
d) 'Drill.
Mask drill should be carried out frequently by all ranks. It
should aim at teaching the quick adjustment of masks under
all conditions, accustoming the men to wear them for a
long time and to exercise in them. Drill must be carried
out both with and without overcoats and equipment, and by
night as well as by day.
For details of drill, see Appendix I.
e) Inspection of Masks.
87. Masks should be inspected once a week and daily
during "Gas Alert". It is of the utmost importance that
this inspection should be carried out regularly and with the
greatest care. Any neglect in doing this may lead to loss of
life.
The points to be attended to will be found in Appendix II.
f) Replacement.
88. Masks will be withdrawn as follows :
i) After any gas cloud attack in which the mask was
worn ;
2) After a total of 6 hours use for any purpose.
III. — Horse respirators.
89. A full description of the British type Horse Respirator
and the method of using it is given in Appendix III.
I
- 39 -
r^ ANTI-GAS APPLIANCES FOR GENERAL USE,
I. — Strombos horns.
a) General. -
90. The experience gained in recent gas attacks has
shown that Strombos Horns are the most effective form of
gas alarm appliance and are audible for very long distances.
])) Description.
91. Each horn is issued in a box containing one horn,
Iwo compressed-air cylinders, one length of rubber tubing
with screw connections, one screwdriver, one gimlet and
one adjustable spanner. One spare cylinder is issued with
the horn, to be kept at the Division or Brigade H. Q. to
replace used cylinders without delay. A reserve of charged
cylinders is also kept at the Corps workshop.
c) Method of Use.
92. The horn should be mounted in a horizontal position
by screwing to the outside of the case or to some other
suitable support and must be protected as much as possible
from rain or shell splinters. Should it be necessary to
change its position, the horn should be fixed in the box
by means of the butterfly nuts provided. Strombos horns
must always be ready for use, the horn being connected to
one of the compressed-air cylinders by the rubber tube.
The union joints at both ends of the tube must be tight.
The horn should be pointed toward the rear.
93. To sound the horn, unscrew the screwcap on the air
cylinder two complete turns. The horn will sound for
about one minute.
Immediately after use, couple up the horn to the second
air cylinder and leave it ready for use in case of a second
gas cloud. The used cylinder should be clearly marked
Empty and replaced as soon as possible from the reserve.
d) Replacement and Repair.
94. The pressure of the cylinders will be tested under
arrangements made by the Chief Gas Officer of the Division
once every week, and defective ones returned for re-charging.
On no account is any adjustment of the horn to be
attempted except by the Chief Gas Officer of the Division or
trained N.C.O. 's. A horn will be thrown completely out
of action by movement of any of its parts.
Damaged horns must be sent to the workshop for repairs.
- 40 -
II. — Other gas alarm devices.
95. No definite pattern has been adopted for secondary
alarm devices suitable lor installing at every sentry post.
Bells, goings (shell cases), suspended rails, and other
appliances are all in use, but single bells and gongs are
generally too weak, and all of these arrangements suffer
from requiring the use of a man's hands.
A very suitable arrangement as an alarm is a triangle of
light steel rail, mounted in such a way that it can be beaten
by working a treadle. It can thus be sounded by a sentry
while he is putting on his respirator or mask. Similar
devices not requiring the use of the hands should be devised
and installed where possible.
III. — Anti-gas fans.
96. The Anti-gas Fan consists of a sheet of canvas sup-
ported by braces of cane and reinforced in the middle. It
IS made with two transverse hinges and is fitted with a
hickory handle. The flapping portion is roughly i5 inches
square and the handle is 2 feet long.
Method of Use.
a) Clearing Trenches.
' 97. The fan blade is placed on the ground with the brace
side downwards, the man using it being in a slightly
crouching position with the left foot advanced, the right
hand grasping the handle at the neck and the left hand near
the butt end. The fan is brought up quickly over the right
shoulder and then smartly flicked to the ground with a quick
slapping stroke. This drives a current of air along the
earth and, on the top strokes, throws the gas out of the
trench as it were by a shovel.
It is essential that the part of the fan blade nearest the
handle should touch the ground first, and this can be accom-
plished in all cases by ending the stroke with the whole
length of the handle as close to the ground as possible.
98. In working round a traverse, etc., the fan should be
flapped round the corner with the hinge on the corner and
the lower edge of the fan as near the bottom of the trench
as can be managed. The brace side of the fan is to be
outwards and at the end of the stroke the whole length of
the, handle should be close up to the side of the trench.
If several fans are available, men should work in single
file and with "out-of-step" strokes, i. e., one fan should
be up while the next is down.
- 4i -
b) Clearing Shelters.
99. In the case of a dugout with a single eptrance not
exceeding 12 feet in length, the gas is first cleared from the
neighborhood of the shelter as in 97, and then the corners
^worked round as in 98. The worker now advances to the
inner end of the entrance, beating rather slowly on the ground
to allow the gas time to get out of the tunnel and bringing
the fan as near the roof as possible on the return stroke.
This makes an overhead current outward with a floor cur-
rent inward.
It may be desirable to have a second fan working just
outside the dugout to throw the gas out of the trench as it
comes out.
In the case of dugouts with two entrances or with one
entrance and another opening, such as a chimney, it is only
necessary to use the fan round the corner of one entrance in
the manner described in 98. When the entrance is cleared,
it is advisable to enter the shelter with a respirator on in
order to beat up the gas from the floor boards, etc. This
greatly facilitates the removal of the last traces of gas.
Special methods to be used after shelling -with
"Mustard gas" (Dichlorethylsulphide).
100. a) Mustard gas is very persistent and will render
an area shelled with it dangerous for as long as two days.
h) Therefore, dugouts and shelters into which gas has
penetrated or has been carried by clothing after a severe
shelling with mustard gas should, if practicable, be temporarily
evacuated, as it is very hard to clear the gas from dugouts.
Those that remain in the shelled areas or dugouts must
wear their respirators continuously.
c) Occupants of entire dugouts have been gassed from
two or three men, who, having been exposed to the gas,
had entered the dugouts.
d) Doctors have been gassed while attending gassed cases.
F6r these reasons, it is imperative to remove entirely the
clothing of gassed cases. The patient must, however, be
at once reclothed with warm clothing or covered well with
unaffected blankets, as chilling of the patient must be
avoided by all means. Clothing must be washed in pure
water for at least an hour then dried in the open. Tempe-
rature of the water should not exceed 80° G.
e) Chloride of lime freely spread on the ground destroys
the gas. If not enough is used, the gas near the surface is
destroyed but that which soaked in is not. hence ground so
treated should not be again dug up. Men have been gassed
from digging around '* mustard" areas without wearing
masks. Mustard gas shells should only be handled by men
wearing masks and gloves.
f) Fresh earth may be used to cover up shell holes and
areas afiected by liquid mustard gas, but the respirator
must be worn by the workmen while doing so.
- 42 -
IV. — Vermorel Sprayers.
101. Vermorel sprayers are withdrawn from general use
for clearing out gas after an attack, but a certain number
are retained for moistening the blankets of protected shelters
and for use in medical dugouts. They should be kept for
this purpose only, and on no account relied on for clearing
trenches or shelters of gas.
102. Company Vermorel Sprayers, — Sprayers on the
basis of two per Company are retained for moistening
blankets in the blanket protected dugouts. They should be
kept by Company Gas N. C.O.'s with other anti-gas
trench stores, and should be kept one-third full of water.
The solution must be kept in corked jars or other closed
receptacles close to each sprayer. The liquid should not
be kept in the sprayers owing to its corrosive nature. It is
made up as follows :
Water, 3 gallons (one large bucket).
Sodium Thiosulphate (hypo.), i 1/2 lbs.
Sodium Carbonate (washing soda), 3 lbs.
The necessity for keeping corked the receptacles holding
the solution must be impressed on the personnel responsible
for it.
VV^hen no solution is obtainable, water may be used for
spraying the blankets.
V. — Gas sampling apparatus.
103. It is desirable that samples be obtained of the enemy
gas used in attacks, especially cloud gas attacks. For this
purpose two kinds of appliances are kept in the trenches,
viz.. Vacuum Bulbs and Gas-Testing Tubes. These should
be looked after by the Company Gas N. C.O.'s whose duty
it is to take the samples, but officers should take all possible
steps to ensure that samples of the gas are actually taken,
as the information obtained may be of the greatest impor-
tance.
Full details of the methods of taking samples are laid
down in "Instructions for taking (ias Samples, etc.''
(Appendix VI).
- /,3 —
IV. — CONSIDERATIONS AFFECTING
SPECIAL ARMS.
104. The foregoing notes apply to all arms and are com-
plete as regards considerations of gas defense affecting
troops in trenches generally. Additional information for the
guidance of other arms on anti-gas measures which affect
them specially is given helow.
A. — CAVALRY.
105. It is unlikely that Cavalry, when mounted, will en-
counter high concentrations of gas from a gas cloud, or even
from gas shells. It will probably be found, therefore, that,
when acting as mounted troops, the mask will be adequate
protection, besides being less cumbersome than the respi-
rator.
106. On the other hand. Cavalry used to supplement
Infantry in the line, or employed as working parlies in or
near the trenches, must be equipped for gas defense in the
same way as the infantry.
B. — ARTILLERY.
I. — General.
107. Artillery are as liable if not more so than anyone
else to bombardment with gas shells, both poisonous and
lachrymatory. Owing to the suddenness of shell attacks and
the long period that the neighborhood of a battery may be
affected by lachrymators or mustard gas, it is essential that
the following points be noted :
a) Where, owing to circumstances, box respirators are
not actually worn on the men, they must be hung separately
and within easy reach of the owners. If this course has to
be adopted, the respirators should be ready prepared with
the haversack ^sling shortened by means of the lab and stud
and the slack of the sling tucked under the mask as in the
"Alert'* position. The satchel flap should be unbuttoned,
but kept in position. (Respirators should not, if possible,
be hung in the actual gun emplacements, owing to the con-
cussion beina liable to displace the chemicals in the box.)
Men must be thoroughly practiced in getting their respi-
rators on in the shortest possible time when they are stored
in this manner.
The mask will, in any case, always be carried on the man
use in case of emergency.
I
- 44 -
b) Men must be well practiced in wearing their box respi-
rators for long periods and in serving their guns while
wearing respirators or masks.
/ II. — For-ward observing parties.
108. Forward observing parties must take all the precau-
tions previously laid down for Infantry.
III. — Preservation of guns and ammunition.
109. The following precautions apply to medium and
heavy trench mortars as well as to guns and howitzers :
a) Protection.
Batteries which are in constant danger of gas attacks,
whether from gas clouds or gas shells, should keep all
bright parts of their guns or mortars, carriages, mountings,
and accessories well coated with oil.
Sights and all instruments should also be smeared with
oil and protected with covers when not in actual use, care
being taken that the oil does not come in contact with any
glass or find its way into the interior of the instrument.
Cartridge cases of ammunition stored with the Battery
and all uncapped fuses, or fuses which have been removed
from their cylmders, should be wiped over with oil as soon
as possible and protected with a cover.
b) Cleaning.
All bright parts of guns and trench mortars, together with all
accessories and spare parts exposed to the gas, must be
cleaned and wiped dry as soon as possible after the attack,
and in any case within 24 hours, after which they should be
thoroughly coated afresh with oil.
The same applies to the whole of the ammunition still in
the Battery position. Ammunition which, for any reason,
had not been oiled, must be cleaned and oiled. It is desir-
able to expend it as soon as possible.
IV. — Aiming points and aiming posts.
110. Aiming points and aiming p^osts are liable to be
obscured by the gas cloud and arrangements should, there-
fore, be made in every Battery to meet this eventuality by
providing gun-pits with means to check the line of fire ifi
necessary, without depending on the use of aiming posts.
V. — Tactical measures during a gas attack.
Ill, Enemy gas attacks may be executed for purposes'
- 45 -
other than the preparation of a subsequent infantry attack.
During the gas discharge a heavy artillery fire on the actual
trenches whence the gas is issuing is the best way of dealing
with the situation. Also it is essential that the gas dis-
charge should be interfered with as early as possible, as the
opening periods of the discharge are the most effective.
112. To ensure an effective and immediate artillery fire
the following points require attention :
a) Certain howitzer Batteries should be detailed to open a
rapid fire for a short time as an anti-gas measure.
b) Only certain portions of the enemy's front trenches can
be used for gas discharge in any given wind and these can
easily be indicated on any accurate trench map. Each Bat-
tery charged with the task of hampering an enemy gas
attack should be provided with a map and a table, showing
from what portions of the enemy's hues (within the Batte-
ry's zone of action) gas can be discharged in any given
wind.
113. Nothing in the foregoing paragraphs in any way
affects the responsibility of artillery for dealing with any infan-
try attack, or for the execution of counter-battery work.
t.
C. — TUNNELLING COMPANIES.
114. I) Tunnelling companies are again reminded that
neither the box respirator nor the mask affords protection
against mine or explosion gases. Oxygen breatning sets
have been used with good results.
II) Owing to the difficulty in clearing gas, especially
lachrymatory gas, from mine-shafts and galleries, the
entrances to mine-shafts should be protected from gas by
blanket curtains in the manner already described for dug-
outs.
III) The enemy has occasionally attempted to render
galleries untenable by the use of gas bombs in conjunction
with the explosion of a charge. If this is done, the box
respirator must be worn if work has to be continued.
D. — SIGNAL SERVICE AND
TELEPHONE OPERATORS.
I. — General.
115. It is essential that telephone and other signal op-
erators should be able to work as much as possible during a
qas attack without wearing respirators or masks. Signal
dugouts must, therefore, be particularly well protected
against gas, so as to allow this to be done.
agair
I
- 46 —
II) Telephone and other signal operators must be spec-
ially trained in using their instruments when wearing box
respirators, masks, or such other gas masks as may be
furnished them. It may be necessary to rely on the fuller-
phone or buzzer when gas equipment is being worn on
account of the difficulty of speaking with the mask on.
.Special telephone transmitters are being designed, which
will overcome this difficulty. i
III) Linemen and signal men in general must receive
plenty of practice in carrying on their work, both by day and
by night, while wearing respirators and masks.
II. — Preservation of signal equipment.
a) Protection of Instruments and Apparatus.
116. The only effective method of preventing corrosion
of electrical and other apparatus during a gas attack is to
prevent the (jas reaching it, and the best way of doing this
IS to have Signal Shelters and Offices thoroughly protected
against gas. As the corrosive effect is very much greater
on instruments if they are damp, the shelters should be
kept as dry as possible. Instruments and apparatus which
have to be used in the open will be less affected if kept
perfectly dry.
The cases and covers of all instruments and apparatus
must be made as nearly gastight as possible. The varnish
and paint protection applied to the metal parts and coils
must be carefully preserved. All apparatus, such as tele-
phones, test boards, connecting frames, spare instruments,
etc., which it is not essenlial to have uncovered should be
well covered up with cloths, blankets, or spare clothing. A
heavy mineral oil such as Cosmic may be used on metal
parts and, in fact, on all articles which will not be injured
by the oil, though great care must be taken to keep it off
electrical contacts. Unless actually required for use, signal
lamps must be closed and preferably packed, with acces-
sories, in the carrying cases. Fireworks are, in general,
little affected by gas if the moistureproof varnish has not
been cracked or broken.
. b) Cleaning Instruments after a Gas Attack.
117. After a gas attack, electrical apparatus that has
been exposed to gas should be treated as follows :
The ends of all leading in wires should be removed from
terminals and cleaned by being scraped with a knife,
wiped with a damp cloth, and then carefully dried. Ter-
minals, exchange plugs and all exposed metal work, espec-
ially the grounds and connecting wires of the Earth Tele-
graph sets and Radio sets should be cleaned first with a
damp and then with a dry cloth. This process should be
- 47 -
repeated after 12 hours have elapsed. In general, the pro-
cesses prescribed for cleaning arms and ammunition (pars.
3o to 34, incl.) may be followed for the cases and non-
electrical parts and for nonelectrical apparatus.
The internal portions of the instruments should not be
interfered with. If an instrument has been kept closed or
covered up, it is very unlikely that internal portions will
have suffered; but if these portions show signs of corrosion,
the instruments should be sent back to Division or Corps
Headquarters to be dealt with by an Instrument Repairer.
»
III. — Protection of carrier pigeons.
118. When the gas alarm is sounded, all baskets contain-
ing pigeons should be placed in the special Anti-Gas Bags
provided for this purpose, or placed m gas-proof shelters.
If for any reason the birds cannot be protected from the gas,
they should be liberated at once. Anti-gas bags should
always be kept near baskets containing birds, and should
be regularly inspected.
Pigeons can be utilized during a gas attack. Experience
has proved that they will fly through any gas cloud, but it
is imperative that the bird should be exposed to the gas
for as short a time as possible. The message and carrier
should, therefore, be prepared and if possible, fastened to
the pigeon's leg, before the bird is exposed to the gas.
Twenty seconds should suffice to fix a carrier and liberate
a bird.
LIST OF APPENDICES.
I. — Drills with box respirators and masks.
II. — Inspection of personal anti-gas equipment.
III. — Instructions for the use of horse respirators.
IV. — Typical standing orders for Company Gas N. C. O.'s.
V. — Instructions for making wind observations and fur-
nishing reports.
VI. — Instructions for taking gas samples and for reporting
on hostile gas attacks.
I
DEFENSIVE MEASURES
APPENDIX I.
RESPIRATOR AND MASK DRILLS.
The following drills are designed to teach officers and
men to adjust quickly their respirators and masks. The
drills must be so thoroughly mastered that one will protect
himself instantly upon hearing the gas alarm.
The breath must be held from the instant of alarm until
the rcbpiralor or mask is completely adjusted.
Drills with box respirators.
Drills in defensive measures against gas will be conducted
in each division in accordance with the programs of training
furnished from these headquarters. After the training period
and while not in the trenches, drills '*A'', ''B", and '*C"
will be practiced twice weekly. While in the trenches or
stationed within five miles of the front line, drill "B" will
be practiced daily; the actual time during which the box is
breathed through being as short as possible.
Drills '*D", "G", and "H" will be practiced as fre-
quently as possible, having regard to the amount of time
during which the box may be breathed through, the respi-
rator being good for l[0 hours breathing.
In the initial training, drills must be so arranged that
every man wears the respirator for one full period of an hour
without removing the mask or nose clip.
Drill "A".
To bring the Box Respirator to the *'AIert" position.
At the command ''Gas Alert", hang the box respirator
round the neck with the flap next the body. With the right
hand seize the satchel by the leather tab, with the left hand
seize the sling by the brass button and clip this into the
leather tab. Then unfasten the press buttons which close the
flap.
The heavy string attached to the top of the satchel will
then be withdrawn from the right-hand compartment, passed
through the ring on the lower ri^ht side of the satchel and
carried around the waist to the ring on the left, where it is
fastened. The press buttons closing the flap will be left
unfastened, but the flap will be pushed into position to keep
the respirator from getting wet.
— 52 —
Drill "B".
Drill ''by numbers" to obtain complete and accurate adjust-
ment of the box respirator from the "Alert'' position.
This drill will be alternated with one without the numbers
to insure as quick an adjustment as possible. The drill
must be practiced until complete adjustment is obtained by
all ranks in six seconds.
Before starting the drill the respirator should be in the
'* Alert" position with flap down but not buttoned.
i) At the command "one", hold the breath, press down
both thumbs between the satchel and the body and open the
satchel. Immediately seize the face-piece with the right
hand so that the metal elbow tube just outside the face-
piece will be in the palm of the hand. At the same time
knock off the steel helmet from behind with the left hand.
2) At the command "two", bring the face-piece quickly
out of the satchel and hold it in both hands with all the
fingers outside along the binding and the two thumbs inside,
pointing inwards and upwards under the elastic. At the
same time throw the chin well forward ready to enter the
face-piece opposite the nose clip.
3) At the command "three", bring the face-piece forward,
digging the chin into it and with the same motion bringing
the elastic bands back over the crown of the head to the full
extent of the retaining tape, using the thumbs.
4) At the command "four", seize the metal elbow tube
outside the face-piece, thumb up on the right, fingers on the
left — all pointing towards the face. Push the rubber mouth-
piece well into the mouth and pull it forward until the rim
of the mouth-piece lies between the teeth and the lips and
the two rubber grips are held by the teeth.
5) At the command "five", adjust the nose clip to the
nose, using the thumb and first three fingers of the right
hand. Run the fingers round the face-piece on either side
of the face to make sure that the edges are not folded over.
Correct any faults in adjustment. Come quickly to attention.
Drill "C".
To adjust Box respirators when carried over the shoulder
but not in the "Alert position".
Pull the satchel around until it hangs in front of the body.
Unfasten the flap and adjust the face-piece as in practice
" B ", allowing the satchel to hang by the rubber tube.
After the nose clip is put on, at once proceed to adjust
the satchel in the Alert position, as in practice "A".
Drill "D".
Drill to teach cleaning of eyepieces.
At the command "Clean eyepieces" the right eyepiece
will be gripped between the thumb and first finger of the
left hand. The first finger of the right hand will then be
— 53 —
pushed gently into the fold of the face-piece behind the right
eyepiece which will be cleaned with a gentle circular motion.
The left eyepiece will be cleaned in a similar way.
Drill "E".
Drill to teach melhod of giving orders.
The squad is first cautioned that the nose clip must not be
removed to talk and that before each sentence is spoken a
long breath must be taken and the mouthpiece removed
sideways from the mouth by turning the metal tube outside
the face-piece on one side. After speaking and before draw-
ing a breath, the mouthpiece is replaced.
The squad should then call off, intervals extended to four
paces, and orders passed down the line.
Officers and N. C. O.'s should receive special practice in
Drill ^'E".
Drill "F".
Drill to teach method of clearing- face-piece from gas
which may have leaked in.
Press the face-piece close to the face, forcing out foul air
around the sides, then fill with air from the lungs by blowing
out round the mouthpiece, and end by pressing the face-piece
close to the face. Repeat at about lo minute intervals as
long as the face-piece is worn.
Drill "G".
Drill to teach method of testing whether trench or dug-
out is free from gas.
With the right hand pull the face-piece slightly away
from the right cheek, loosen the nose clip on the nose and
sniff gently (do not take a breath). If gas is smelled, the
nose clip and face-piece are readjusted. Then clear face-
piece of gas as in " F ".
Drill " H ".
Ordinary infantry drill will be carried out while wearing
the mask. This will include-double time for at least 200 yards
at one time. This drill will be in heavy marching order.
Musketry and bombing instructions and the training of
specialists (including artillery, machine gunners, Medical
Corps, signallers) will also be carried out while wearing the
respirator.
Drill "I".
Drill to teach changing from the box respirator to the
mask.
At the command "Change" hold the breath, get out the
mask, and grip in the left hand. Knock off the steel helmet
with the right hand. Take off respirator as in Note b) fol-
lowing. Put on the mask according to the method described
- 54 -
under "Mask Drill'*. Protection must be obtained in ten
seconds or less.
Note. — a) If after being worn for a long time, the pres-
sure of the nose clip becomes unbearable, it may be relieved
for a few moments by easing up the pressure, being careful
not to remove the clip from the nose.
6) Removing respirators. — Care must be taken to remove
the respirator without stretching the face-piece or elastic.
At the command " Take off respirators'" release nose clip,
insert the fingers of the right hand under the face-piece of
the chin, bend the head forward and open the mouth, at the
same time removing the face-piece with an upward motion
of the right hand.
c) Folding face-pieces. — The face-piece should be folded
flat (no part tucked inward) and the elastic bands should be
folded against the outside of the face-piece on one side.
d) After all drills the respirator must be wiped dry, folded
correcily, and put away in such a way that the rubber valve
is not bent.
Freezing or sticking of valve.
In cold weather the saliva on the expiratory rubber valve
will freeze. This can be prevented by two drops of glycerine
or heavy thick oil. However, as both tend to injure the
rubber they should be used only in very cold weather.
The expiratory valve frequently sticks from the saliva
drying on it. To prevent this, as well as freezing, always
put the respirator away dry. If the respirator is put on and
difficulty is experienced in respiration, take the expiratory
valve between the thumb and fingers and rub it briskly with
a rolling motion; do not remove respirator while doing this,
but breathe out through the mouth around mouth piece.
Mask drill.
1. To obtain correct and quick adjustment of the mask the
following drill will be carried out "by numbers". As soon
as the movements are perfectly understood the number drill
will be carried out alternately with "judging the time"
drill. That is, as quickly as possible. The breath must be
held while adjusting the mask because one breath of the
poisonous gases now used may cause death or serious injury.
Remove the mask from the cloth satchel and hang it on
the chest by the long tape, with the oiled canvas facing out.
This is the "Alert position".
i) At the command "one", grasp the elastic with both
hands in the following manner : the 3d, 4lh and 5th fingers
between the front elastic and the mask ; the index fingers
— 55 —
between the two elastics, and the thumbs behind both
elastics.
2) At the command "two", pull the hands apart so that
the elastics are completely stretched.
3) At the command "three", push the chin well forward,
at the same time carrying the hands upward so that the
lower edqe of the mask catches well under the chin. ^■
4) At the command "four", carry the hands with a cir-
cular motion backwards and then downwards, letting go off
the first elastic when the tape fastening the elastics together
becomes tight and then carrying the posterior elastic as far
down the back of the neck as it will go.
5) At the command "five", adjust the edges of the mask
with both hands, being particularly careful to see that no
hair lies under the edge of the mask and that there are no
wrinkles.
6) At the command "six", pass the right hand back of the
neck and grasp the elastic hanging down on the left side
and carry it back of the neck and lasten it into the hook on
the right-hand lower corner of the mask; the forefinger of
the left hand will help guide the eye over the hook. Come
to attention.
The mask is taken off by unhooking the elastic around the
neck and then grasping the bottom of the mask with the
right hand ; pull down and outward until the mask is free of
the chin, then with an upward and backward swing remove
the mask from the head.
Note. — The elastk that goes behind the neck must be
adjusted to the individual when the mask is issued so that
it will fit his neck snugly. At the same time the median tape
should be shortened by means of the safety pin supplied with
it so that it will be taut when the mask is properly applied.
Care should be taken of the eyepieces as they are very
fragile. They should never be wiped when moist as it
spoils them. Extra eyepieces are provided to replace those
in the mask when they become cracked or broken. To
remove old ones, bend outward the little metal fasteners of
the protecting rim on the front of the mask when the eyepiece
frame slips out of the rubber socket. The new eyepiece is
put in place from the inside of the mask by introducing one
edge of the rim into the rubber groove and stretching the re-
mainder of the rubber groove over the eyepiece. Care should
be taken not to press on the transparent part of the eyepiece.
Replace the metal rim and press the fasteners back into place.
Men must use their own masks for drill purposes.
Men must be warned that during a gas attack the smell
of the chemical on the mask becomes stronaer and may cause
very slight irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. This will
disappear in a few minutes, and does not indicate that gas
is coming through the mask.
Masks will be worn in the ''Alert position" only when
men are not provided with the Box Respirator.
56 —
General points on training -with anti-gas appliances.
When training men in the use of anti-gas appliances the
following points are of importance. They apply equally to
box respirators and masks.
a) Practice with simple movements with box respirators
or masks. Ordinary infantry drill should be combined with
physical drill, including arm and leg exercises, leap-frog,
and double time. The time of practice should not exceed
1 5 minutes at first in the case of the mask, but should be
gradually extended.
6) Practice in bombing, rapid loading and aiming, judging
distance and rifle firing, should be carried out while men are
wearing box respirators or masks.
c) Men must swallow their saliva and not allow it to drain
out over the lips or through the valve.
d) Officers and N. C. O.'s will receive the same training
as the men, and, in addition, w^ill be practiced in giving
orders w^hile w^earing their respirators or masks.
Practice and drill in the use of anti-gas appliances should
be carried out continuously. This applies especially to
troops which return to trench warfare after having been in
districts where more open fighting may have led (a) to a
temporary lapse in this training, (6) to the subsequent in-
corporation of drafts only partially trained in anti-gas
measures.
APPENDIX II.
INSPECTION OF PERSONAL
ANTI-GAS EQUIPMENT.
A. — Box respirators.
Box respirators must normally be inspected once a week
and daily during **Gas Alert." Attention will be paid to the
following points :
a) Boxes, facepiece, mouthpiece, noseclip, eyepieces, and
elastic must be in good order. If the box is rusted through,
the respirator must be condemned.
b) Facepiece must be firmly attached to the mouthpiece
and to the elbow tube.
c) The metal tube inside the mouthpiece must be about
I /8th in. back from the opening of the latter.
- 57 -
d) The rubber tube must be intact and firmly attached to
the box and elbow tube.
e) The expiratory valve should be tested by removing the
box from the satchel and either closing the cap at the bot-
tom with the hand, or pinching the rubber tube so as to
prevent inlet of air at the same time attempting to draw in
air through the mouthpiece. It should not be possible to
draw in any air. This also proves the absence of leaks in
the tube or box. It must be possible to breathe out easily
through the valve. If the latter has stuck because of saliva
drying in it, this must be remedied by rubbing the valve
between the fingers.
/) See that the inlet valve is opening properly and that
nir can be drawn freely through the box.
g) See that the cord for tying around the' body is present
and not knotted.
h) Any small perforations in the facepiece should be tem-
porarily repaired by applying pieces of adhesive plaster
from the repair outfit to the perforation, both inside and
outside the mask. The adhesive plaster should be large
enough to overlap the hole all round.
Respirators so repaired must be exchanged as soon as
possible.
i) Replace the box in the satchel so that the facepiece
comes to the face without twist on the tube. Fold facepiece
carefully and replace in the satchel so that the expiratory
valve is not likely to crumple.
B. — Masks.
Masks must be inspected once a week, or daily during the
''Gas Alert". Attention must be paid to the following
points :
a) See that the carrying case is in good condition.
h) See that the eyepieces are not cracked or loose.
c) See that there is no evidence that the mask has been
wet (mould) ; any mask which has been wet should be con-
demned.
d) See that elastics and tapes are in good condition.
58
APPENDIX III.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE USE
OF BRITISH ANTI-GAS HORSE RESPIRATOR.
I. — Description.
The respirator consists of a flannelette bag with a canvas
mouthpiece which goes into the horse's mouth and saves the
flannelette from being bitten through. The bag is provided
with an elastic band which passes round the opening so as
to draw the respirator close to the face when in use. The
upper side of the mouth of the flannelette bag is furnished
with a small unbleached calico patch by which the respi-
rator is attached to the nose-band of the head collar when
in the "Alert position"', and while in use. Inside the bag
and attached to the canvas mouthpiece there is a canvas
frame which is stitched on to the bag in such a way as to
prevent the material drawing into the nostrils when the res-
pirator is in use. The whole is folded and carried in a canvas
case provided with a flap, secured by three press buttons, and
having two straps at the back by means of which the case is
attached to the head collar.
II. — Method ^of use.
Horses can stand a higher concentration of gas than human
beings without material damage, and it is not therefore
necessary to protect them against cloud gas attacks when
they are a considerable distance back from the trenches.
Nor is it necessary to protect their eyes. The respirator is
primarily intended for use on transport animals w^hen .they
are sent to the vicinity of the trenches with supplies and
ammunition. In the case of gas shell attacks, horses should
be protected wherever the shelling is heavy.
i) Carrying when not immediately required.
When not required for immediate use the respirator can
be conveniently carried on the supporting strap of the breast
harness as shown in Fig. 5, or if a zinc wither pad is worn,
still more conveniently inside this pad. If a collar is used
in place of the breast-strap, it can, be carried in the chan-
nel of the collar where drivers often carry a sponge
However carried, the case is steadied by being strapped
on either side to the metal ring on the supporting strap, and
its flap should be passed under this strap, between it and
- 59 -
the nunnah wither pad, and buttoned as in the ''Alert po-
sition". *
2) Alert Position.
When horses are being sent up to the trenches, the trans-
port or other officer responsible should have the respirators
adjusted in the "Alert position" before moving off, as fol-
lows :
a) The flap of the respirator case is unbuttoned and slipped
under the nose-band of the head collar from below upwards.
b) The two straps at the back are also passed under the
nose-band and secured to the cheek pieces of the head collar,
above the metal D on each side.
c) The small unbleached calico patch on the upper side of
the mouth of the respirator is buttoned on to the nose-band
of the head collar so that the respirator is ready to be
slipped on immediately in the event of a gas attack.
d) The cover of the case is then closed over the nose-
band, and the respirator is thus protected from rain, and
.held in position on the nose-band. Fig. 6 shows a respi-
rator in its case carried in the '* Alert position".
3) Wearing in Gas. "
The respirator being carried in the "Alert position" is
adjusted for use as follows :
a) The flap of the case is unbuttoned and the respirator
removed, leaving the case attached to the cheek pieces of
the head collar and lying flat on the face.
6) The mouth of the bag is drawn down over the upper
lip and upper teeth with one hand on each side of the
mouthpiece, slipped into the mouth, and drawn well up to
the angle of the lips.
c) The elastic band is seized on either side close to the
mouthpiece, and pulled outwards so as to draw the mouth
of the bag tight around the upper jaw, above the nostrils,
and is then slipped over the poll.
The respirator is then in position and the animal may be
worked in it without difficulty or undue distress. The bit
and reins are not interfered with in any way. This is
shown in Fig. 7.
4) Replacement in Case.
In folding the respirator and replacing it in the case ready
for use the following points should be observed :
a) The canvas mouthpiece should be wiped as clean as
possible.
b) The flannelette bag should be held with the canvas
mouthpiece underneath and the elastic band placed over the
top of the bag in such a way that when the canvas patch
is buttoned on to the nose band the elastic band has simply
to be passed straight up over the face and over the poll.
The bottom end of the respirator should then be tucked in
and rolled up over the elastic band to make a neat roll for
insertion in the canvas case.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 6.
Fig. 7.
— 6i
APPENDIX IV.
TYPICAL STANDING ORDERS
FOR COMPANY GAS N. C. O.'s.
i) They will assist officers at the inspection of box respi-
rators and masks, and in making such local repairs as are
possible. They will assist in training men in the use of
anti-gas appliances.
2) Under the Company Commander they will have charge
of all anti-gas trench stores as follows :
a) Strombos Horns and Other Gas Alarm Devices. —
Inspect daily and see that sentries posted at them know
how they should be used.
b) Gas-proof Shelters. — See that the blanket doorways
fit and are kept in good order.
c) Anti-gas Fans. — See that they are in their proper
position and in serviceable condition.
d) Stores of fuel for clearing shelters. — Insure sufficient
supply for clearing all dug-outs, to be maintained under
company arrangements.
e) Vermorel Sprayers. — Maintain in working order and
see that supply of solution is available.
f) Gas Sampling Apparatus. — Have charge of the va-
cuum bulbs and gas-testing tubes. Keep a stock of corked
bottles and small tins with well-fitting lids for collecting
samples of earth and water after a gas shell attack.
3) On relief they will assist the Company Commander in
taking over all anti-gas trench stores. The Company Gas
N.C.O.'s should accompany the advance party and take
over anti-gas trench stores (by daylight if possible).
4) They will make wind observations every three hours
or more frequently if the wind is in or nearing a dangerous
quarter, and will report any change of wind to the Company
Commander.
5) During a gas cloud attack they will take gas samples
by means of the vacuum bulbs and gas-testing tubes.
6) During or after the attack the N.C. 0. must note down
in writing as much information regarding the attack as
possible. (See Appendix VI.)
7) As soon as possible after the conclusion of a gas shell
bombardment, the Gas N. CO. must fill his bottles and
tins (2, f) and take samples of water, mud, or earth from
those parts of the line which are smelling most strongly of
shell gases. He should note the position of any blind shells.
(See Appendix VI.) ^
8) As soon as possible after a gas attack, all samples and
notes will be handed in to the Company Commander for
transmission to the Division Gas Officer.
ib
— 62 —
APPENDIX V.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING WIND
OBSERVATIONS AND FURNISHING REPORTS.
Wind reports are to be made and handed to the Company
Commander every three hours, or oftener if the wind is in
or approaching a dangerous quarter. In order to make
these reports the following points must be attended to :
I.
Wind vane.
A simple wind vane must be set up. The vane must have
as little friction as possible, so that a wind under 2 miles
per hour will turn it. A little post at the top of the vane
should carry a strip of linen 5 in. by 3/4 in., by the move-
ments of which the strength of I he wind can be judged.
The vane must be set up sufficiently high to get a true
observation (e. g., 18 in. above the top of the dugout, etc.).
Correct orientation should be obtained by getting N by the N
star and S by the sun at midday (Greenwich time).
WEST
t.SE.
II.
63
Direction of Tvind.
Before reading the direction of the wind from the vane the
observer should gauge the approximate direction by noting
the course taken by smoke, etc. Direction of wind must bu
stated in points of the compass. ^.
The points of the compass to be used are shown in Fig. 8.
III. — Strenght of -wind.
This may be judged from Beaufort's scale.
OBSERVATIONS
of
Natural objects.
BEHAVIOUR
of
flag at top
of Vane.
1
2
3
4
5
6
2
5
10
15
20
30
Smoke straight up.
Smoke slants.
Felt on face.
Paper, etc., moved.
Bushes sway.
Tree tops sway.
Wavelets on water.
Trees sway and whistle.
No movement.
No movement.
Slight.
3/4 up.
Up and falling often.
Up. Falling less ollen.
Up and flapping.
IV.
Type of report.
The points North, South, East and West must be written
in full. Other points are denoted by the usual letters.
The following example shows the type of report which
should be made : '•
Wind report.
Trench No. i3r.
Date w. i6. i6.
TIME.
DIRECTION.
SPEED.
6pm
N. N. W
12 m. p. h.
The following simf
of seconds which it v
the enemy's lines to c
Double trench dist£
Warning availabl
)le calculation deterr
vill take for a gas cl
ur own :
mce (in yards) and d
e.
nines the number
3ud to move from
ivide by speed of
wind (in m. p. h.). Example = = 20 seconds*
h
10
- 64 -
APPENDIX VI.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR TAKING GAS SAMPLES
AND FOR REPORTING ON HOSTILE GAS ATTACKS.
I. — Taking gas samples during a cloud
gas attack.
A) Vacuum Bulbs.
a) Open the hinged lid at the end of the box containing
the bulb.
b) Remove the file from the plasticine stopper and with it
make a scratch on the glass tube at the narrowest point.
e) Hold the tube with finger and thumb of each hand and
snap it where it is scratched ; air will immediately rush in
and fill the bulb.
d) Samples should be taken, 18 inches, and 4 feet above
the bottom of the trench.
e) Press home the cap containing plasticine over the
broken end of the tube so as to seal up the contents of the
bulb.
Samples of gas should be taken both in the fire and
support trenches. The first sample should be taken about
two minutes after the commencement of the attack, and
other samples at intervals during the attack.
The exact time and place should be noted on the form on
the back of the box immediately after the sample is taken.
After the gas waves have passed, samples of air in
unprotected dugouts should be taken before the latter are
cleared.
Immediately after vacuum bulbs have been used they
should be taken under shelter.
B) C as-Testing Tubes.
In the mtervals of taking gas samples with vacuum bulbs,
a Gas-Testing Tube should be used. Open the box by
stripping off the adhesive plaster and pulling off the lid ; pull
out the small glass stopper and pump air through the appa-
ratus by squeezing the rubber ball in the hand for 10 min-
utes, if the number of times the ball is squeezed is counted
and recorded, useful information may be obtained. After
the sample has been taken, replace the small glass stopper,
and at once replace the lid of the box, taking care to avoid
compressing the rubber ball. Note on the label the time
and place at which the sample was taken.
— 65 —
II. — Collection of specimens after a gas
shell bombardment.
As soon as possible after the conclusion of a qas shell
bombardment, the Gas N. C. O. must take samples of water
or earth from those parts of the line which are smellina
most strongly of shell gases. He should note the spots at
wliich the samples were taken.
During and after a gas attack the Gas N. C. O. should
note down m writmg as much information as possible on
tne loUowmg pomts :
condi?^^"^^^ and direction ot wind and general weather
b) Times at which the gas wave or gas shell bombardment
started and finished.
c) Exact position and nature of place affected by qas or
gas shells. "^ ^
d) Color and color changes of the gas cloud.
e) Sound of escaping gas.
f) Smell of gas and gas shells.
g) Effect of gas and gas shells on men.
A) To what extent telephone dugouts, covered qun and
Ttiachine gun emplacements, etc., were affected.
The approximate number of gas shells used and their
oaliDre.
j) The position of blind shells and fragments of shells, etc.
1 11^— Forwarding of samples,
specimens, and reports.
After an attack, cloud gas samples, gas testing tubes, qas
shell bases and fragments, shell gas samples, and notes on
ttie attack will be handed to the Company Commander as
SDon as possible for transmission to the Chief Gas Officer of
le Division.
DEFENSIVE MEASURES
CONTENTS,
r. — INTRODUCTION.
A. — GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS. ^''Se.
B. — NATURE OF GAS ATTACKS ,5
1. Gas Clouds. ... p.
2. Gas Projectiles * ' ^
3. Smoke. . ..'.;; '^
4. Mine and Explosion Gases ' .['' ' JZ
n. - ORGANIZATION OF GAS DEFENSE.
A. — ORGANIZATION OF ANTI-GAS DUTIES .g
^' ~ "^Te Nt' .°™^' '^'™'' ^^ INFANTRY REGI-
«) Officers ^^
6) N. c. 0/s'. ; '.;;;; '^
:.- PERSONAL ANTI-GAS equipment . ... ]^
1. Equipment carried ^^
2. When and where carried '. '^
i). - PROTECTION OF SHELTERS.
I. Methods of protection
^' ^tefted' ""' '*"'^''''*' ^^'""^ should"be prol ^'
|j^ PROTECTION OF WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT !'-{
H I. Small arms and S. A. \
H ^- H^nd and riOe grenades ^7
H ^. Light trench mortars and ammunition * " o/t
I «- 4. Guns medmm and heavy trench mortkrs ^
and ammunition ..... """«^s
. — WIND ORSERVATION
i. — THE GAS ALERT PERIOD .
1 . Order for gas alert . ^^
2. Precautions during gas alert .' ^^
a) Inspection , .
b) Alert position " of respirators' and ^^
masks,
c) Sentries, etc ^?
20
— 68 —
Page,
rf) Sleeping. 2(3
e) Company Gas N. G. 0/s 26
f) Officers and N. G. 0/s 27
3. Removal of gas alert 27
H. — CLOUD GAS ALARM 27
1 . Method of giving the alarm 27
2. Action to be taken in trenches 28
3. Action to be taken in billets and back
areas 28
I. — ACTION DURING A CLOUD GAS ATTACK. .... 28
1. Protective measures 28
2. Tactical measures. 29
J. — PRECAUTIONS AGAINST GAS SHELLS. 3o
K. — PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN AGAINST OUR OWN
USE OF GAS IN CYLINDERS, BOMBS, etc 3o
1. Handling gas cylinders 3o
2. Action when gas cylinders are in position
in trenches 3i
3. ActioA during our gas attacks 3i
4* Gas bombs and grenades 3i
L. — ACTION AFTER A CLOUD GAS ATTACK 3i
1. General 3i
a) Removal of respirators 32
6) Return to the alert position .... 32
2. Movement 32
3. Glearing dugouts 32
a) Ventilation. 32
6) Sprayers 33
4. Gleaning of arms and ammunition. ... 34
5. Treatment of shell holes 34
III. — PROTECTIVE APPLIANCES.
A. — INDIVIDUAL PROTECTIVE APPARATUS 35
1. Box respirator 35
a) Description 35
6) Personal fitting 35,
c) Method of use 36
d) Replacement 361
e) Inspection 37J
2. The mask 37
a) General 37J
b) Sizes and proportion of each .... 3]
c) Manner of carrying 3«
d) Drill 3f
e) Inspection . . . . ' 38
/) Replacement 38
3 Horse respirators 38
- 69 -
Page,
B. — ANTI-GAS APPLIANCES FOR GENERAL USE. 3g
1. Strombos horns Sg
a) General Bg
b) Description 89
c) Method of use Sg
d) Replacement and repair Sg
2. Other gas alarm devices 4o
3. Anti-gas fans. Method of use 4o
a) Clearing trenches -40
b) Clearing shelters 4i
4. Vermorel sprayers 4^
5. Gas sampling apparatus 4^
IV. — CONSIDERATIONS AFFECTING
SPECIAL ARMS.
A. — CAVALRY 43
B. — ARTILLERY '. . 43
1. General 43
2. Forward observing parties 44
3. Preservation of guns and ammunition . . 44
a) Protection 44
b) Gleaning. 44
4. Aiming points and aiming posts .... 44
5. Tactical measures in a gas attack. ... 44
C. — TUNNELLING COMPANIES 45
D. — SIGNAL SERVICE AND TELEPHONE OPERATORS. 45
1. General. 4^
2. Preservation of signal equipment .... 46
a) Protection of instruments and appa-
ratus. 46
b) Cleaning instruments after a gas at-
tack 46
3. Protection of carrier pigeons ...... 47
LIST OF APPENDICES.
Page.
I. — Drills with Box Respirators and Masks .... 5i
II. — Inspection of Personal Anti-gas Equipment. . . 56
III. — Instructions for the Use of Horse Respirators. . 58
IV. — Typical Standing Orders for Company Gas
N. C. O.'s »»i
V. — Instructions for making Wind Observations and
Furnishing Reports G2
VI. — Instructions for taking Gas Samples and for
Reporting on Hostile Gas Attacks 64
- 73 -
INDEX.
Page.
AQti-dimming composition 37
Arms and ammunition, cleaning of 34
Battalion, gas duties in 18
Beaufort scale. 63
Box Respirator 35
Box Respirators, inspection of 56
Bulbs, vacuum 64
Cavalry, use of mask by 43
Carrier pigeons, protection of. . . 4?
Clothing, mustard gas carried by 4i
Cloud Gas Attack, measures to be taken after .... 3i
Drill, with box respirator 5i
Drill, w^ith mask 54
Dugouts, clearing of gas ,/ 32
Dugouts, ventilation of 32
Equipment carried 19
Equipment, when and where carried ........ 21
Fans, anti-gas. 4o
Gas Alarm, action to be taken on, in trenches .... 28
Gas, alarm devices Sg
Gas alarm, method of giving 27
Gas alert 25
Gas alert, removal of • • • ^7
Gas attack, protective measures during ....'... 28
Gas clouds i5
Gas projectiles 16
Gas, sampling apparatus l\2.
Gas shells, protection against 3o
Gas testing tubes . . . 64
Gas, use of in cylinders, bombs, etc. 3o
General considerations as to gas 7
Guns, protection of from gas 44
Horns, Strombos 39
Horse respirators ' 38
Horse respirator, directions for use of 58
Masks, inspection ot 56
Mask, drill 5i
Mask, sizes of 87
Meteorologic report, type of 63
Mine Gas. 17
Mustard Gas, carried in clothes 4*
Orders, standing, for company N. C. 0/s 61
Protection of weapons and equipment 23
- 74 -
Page.
Report, Meteorologic, type of. '. , 63
Respirator, box 35
Samples and specimens, forwarding of 65
Scale, Beaufort 63
Shells^ Lachrymatory 17
Shells, Mustard Gas 17
Shells, poisonous 17
Shelters, protection of 23
Signal Service, protection of apparatus 16
Smoke ' 17
Specimens, collection of 65
Sprayers, use of. 33
Standing orders for Company Gas N. C. O.'s 61
Strombos Horns Sg
Tubes, gas testing 64
Vacuum bulbs . 64
Vane, wind 62
Vermorel sprayers 4^
Wind, direction of 63
Wind, observation of 25
Wind, strength of 63
Wind vane 62
PRINTED BY BERGER-LEVRAULT, NANCY (m.-ET-M.)
14 DAY USE i
RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED
LOAN DEPT.
This book is due on the last date stamped below, or j
on the date to which renewed.
Renewed books are subject to immediate recall.
r^Ma/6206
1.. -CD LD
JAN 2 fi 1963
ULU 16 1987
•"li; DEC 11 1987
1
rc?o^^-.rorsif «-^-i°gs2"^^
U.C. BERKELEY LIBRARIES
II
COOMlbflSll
860655
THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY
v: ^ ->y
<'. \:i.'
r< -~-^- S -
,^^^1^